Sweden Triumphs
Sweden Dominates Tunisia 5-1 with Yasin Ayari's Double, Leads World Cup Group F
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Sweden crushed Tunisia 5-1 on Sunday in Monterrey, Mexico, to shoot to the top of World Cup Group F. Yasin Ayari, the 22-year-old Brighton midfielder, scored twice and was named Player of the Match in what AP called a commanding debut at the 2026 tournament.
The final scoreline — Sweden's biggest opening-match win in World Cup history, surpassing a 4-0 win over Bulgaria in 1994 — sent an early message to the rest of the field. Sweden outshot Tunisia 11-3 on target and controlled 58% of the ball in a one-sided contest at the sold-out Estadio BBVA.
Ayari Strikes Twice to Break Tunisia Open
Ayari broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, finishing after a deflected cross from Dejan Kulusevski. Tunisia hit back to level at 1-1 through a Youssef Msakni penalty. But Ayari refused to let the momentum shift. He restored Sweden's lead in the 42nd minute with a low drive from the edge of the area, assisted by Alexander Isak, AP reported.
His second goal was a statement. Telemundo described it as a "cañonazo fulminante" — a thunderbolt — struck from outside the box in the 95th minute to seal the rout. Ayari covered 12.4 km during the match, the most of any player on the pitch.
Isak, Kulusevski, and Forsberg Pile On the Damage
Sweden did not stop at two. Alexander Isak added a third goal just after halftime, exploiting a defensive lapse by Tunisia's Montassar Talbi. Kulusevski then curled a left-footed shot into the top corner to make it 4-1. Veteran substitute Emil Forsberg rounded out the scoring in the 89th minute.
Manager Jon Dahl Tomasson said the performance reflected two years of hard work. "The efficiency we showed tonight is what we've been working on for two years," he said. "Yasin represents the fearlessness of this new generation," according to Item Online.
Sweden's Youth-Led Rebuild Arrives on the Biggest Stage
Sweden failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Since then, coach Tomasson — the first non-Swede to lead Sweden at a World Cup — rebuilt the team around a fluid 4-3-3 system. The squad qualified for 2026 through the UEFA playoffs, beating Poland in the final round.
Ayari summed up the shift in mindset after the match. "We came here to prove that Sweden belongs among the elite," he said. "This isn't just about the three points — it's about the statement we made on this stage," AP reported. Sweden now holds a +4 goal difference at the top of Group F.
Tunisia Must Regroup Fast to Stay in the Tournament
For Tunisia, the loss was a serious blow. Captain Msakni acknowledged the collapse. "We lost our shape after the third goal," he said. "At this level, if you lose focus for ten minutes, the game is over." Tunisia managed just three shots on target all match.
Tunisia now faces a near must-win situation in their remaining group games. Another loss would likely end their tournament. Meanwhile, Ayari's star turn has drawn wider attention — transfer insiders suggest Real Madrid and Manchester City have increased their scouting presence ahead of Sweden's next match, per Item Online.
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