Sweden returned to the World Cup stage with enthusiasm and a convincing win against Tunisia. The team around star striker Viktor Gyökeres from Arsenal FC and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak deservedly defeated the North Africans 5:1 (2:1).
In Monterrey, Mexico, Yasin Ayari scored the goals for the Scandinavians in the 7th minute and in injury time (90th + 6th), Isak (30th), Gyökeres (59th) and Mattias Svanberg in the final phase. They last took part in a World Cup finals in Russia in 2018. Omar Rekik scored for Tunisia (43′).
Ayari is well worth seeing
The Swedes, coached by Brit Graham Potter, got off to a dream start with a dream goal. Ayari slammed the ball under the crossbar. The hit gave security. Sweden exerted a lot of control and followed up after half an hour. Gyökeres put Isak in the spotlight and the former Dortmund player made it 2-0. Tunisia goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh didn’t look good with the low shot.
However, his team, which featured Union Berlin’s Rani Khedira and Frankfurt’s Ellyes Skhiri in the starting line-up, did not give up. Sweden was superior in terms of football, but Tunisia fought and was rewarded. Even before the break, Rekik, who played for Hertha BSC in his youth, headed the ball home.
Skhiri makes a serious mistake
After the break, Tunisia initially got back into the game. A blatant mistake by Skhiri abruptly interrupted the hoped-for comeback. The 31-year-old lost the ball in front of his own penalty area in a duel with Isak and Gyökeres made it 3-1. The goal was a preliminary decision. Tunisia never recovered after another setback. Wolfsburg’s Svanberg, who had just come on as a substitute, made it 4-1 before Ayari scored again.
