News Focus
- Yasin Ayari nets a double on his World Cup debut for Sweden against Tunisia, his father’s birth country
- Graham Potter’s side capitalise on defensive mistakes to secure a 5-1 victory in Group F
- Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak lead the attack as Sweden extend their remarkable revival
- Tunisia goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh endures a difficult night with errors for the opening goals
Graham Potter has created a football miracle. Nine months after taking charge of a Swedish team that failed to win a single World Cup qualifier, he watched his players demolish Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey.
Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari was the star of the match. The 21-year-old, born in Stockholm to a Tunisian father, chose to play for Sweden despite interest from the north African nation. He opened the scoring after Tunisia goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh spilled a high ball under pressure. Viktor Gyökeres seized the loose ball, and when his shot was blocked, Ayari smashed the rebound into the net.
Chamakh was at fault again minutes later. Gyökeres turned cleverly in the centre-circle and passed to Alexander Isak. The Newcastle forward’s low drive slipped through the keeper’s arms for Sweden’s second goal.
Tunisia found a reply before half-time. Omar Rekik glanced a header into the net from Hannibal Mejbri’s right-wing cross. For a brief period after the restart, they threatened a comeback.
However, Sweden settled the contest when Isak tackled Ellyes Skhiri deep inside the Tunisian half. The ball broke to Gyökeres, who finished powerfully. Substitute Mattias Svanberg added a fourth with a calm strike, before Ayari completed his brace in stoppage time to make it five.
Potter, who sustained a minor ear injury during the celebrations, praised his forwards. “Alex and Viktor showed their quality,” he said. “They have worked hard in training to build their understanding.”
The result continues Sweden’s incredible transformation. They reached these finals only through the Nations League playoffs, defeating Ukraine and Poland. Six months ago, few believed they would compete at this tournament. Now, under their former York City defender turned manager, they look like a formidable force.
Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi accepted his team were architects of their own downfall. “We made too many individual mistakes,” he admitted. “At the World Cup, you cannot recover from such errors.”