Sweden 5-1 Tunisia - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Tunisia Defeated in Gyokeres/Isak Double Act

Sweden had their Premier League contingent to thank in their win over Tunisia, with Yasin Ayari, Alex Isak and Viktor Gyokeres all on the scoresheet before Mattias Svanberg, who broke the record for the fastest-ever goal by an substitute at a World Cup by netting just 12 seconds after his introduction.

Ayari himself was in rude finishing form as well, scoring two breathtaking goals at either end of the game to compound a miserable opener for Tunisia.

Tunisia had got one back on the brink of the break thanks to Omar Rekik, but superior attacking might from the European nation was the difference maker in Mexico tonight.

Sweden 5-1 Tunisia as it Happened

The evening's affairs could not have started better for Sweden, and more specifically Brighton star Yasin Ayari who opened the scoring in some style.

A swift counter from the Swede's saw Gyokeres with a goal-bound shot hauled clear off the line, as far as Ayari from 30 yards out. The 22-year-old was offered time and space from range to steady his position, before unleashing an unstoppable tunderbolt of a finish beyond a helpless Chamakh for an early 1-0.

Question marks were hanging heavy over the head of Liverpool striker Alexander Isak going into this World Cup as well - after such a dismal, injury-hit season following a record-breaking transfer from Newcastle, would he be able to perform for Sweden on the national stage? Fortunately for Graham Potter and his men, that question would have an answer just half an hour in.

A pass into the feet of Gyokeres on the halfway line preceded the Arsenal frontman flicking play out onto the left wing for the rushing Isak. The striker continued his run all the way to the edge of the Tunisian box, before finally cutting in and striking with venom to double his nation's advantage just a few moments after the hydration break.

But Tunisia, in danger of letting the game get away from them, stamped their presence on the fixture with a goal out of the blue with minutes left of the first half. A rare forray forward revealed a set-piece scenario for the African nation, which saw talisman Hannibal Mejbri swing an inch-perfect cross onto the head of defender Omar Rekik. The 24-year-old met it well, pumping a perfect header beyond Kristoffer Nordfelt to put the game on.

Halftime Score - Sweden 2-1 Tunisia

Tunisia, for all of their good work in getting a foothold back in the contest, would undo any standing they had earned with a defensive breakdown before a Swedish third.

The glaring error came from the last Tunisian you would expect it from - Ellyes Skhiri, the Frankfurt midfielder and national captain with the shiniest CV in the nation - got possession short from the hands of Chamakh, and carelessly gifted the ball to Isak.

The Liverpool striker reacted promptly, releasing his co-star Gyokeres into space in the right channel before the Arsenal forward thumped a clinical finish home for Sweden's third of the match.

Gyokeres almost added a fourth for his nation and a second for himself just five minutes later, latching onto a lumped clearance by Alex Bernhardsson to swivel away from Montassar Talbi and strike, but the powerful hit sailed well over the bar.

Mattias Svanberg was brought into the game around the 84th minute mark, and bundled the ball home in less than 10 seconds with his very first touch of the game. This broke a World Cup record for the quickest goal scored by an individual in a game, after the 27-year-old midfielder swung home smartly from a cross from the right that was touched on by Isak.

Tunisia were firmly on the ropes from this point, and almost conceded a fifth just moments later. Of course, it was the lethal partnership on display between Gyokeres and Isak that birthed the chance, with the former cutting a pass back to the latter only for him to strike the ball too close to Chamakh.

But Sweden would indeed get their fifth with seconds to go, and it came from another amazing finish from Ayari. With the ball breaking loose to him at the top of the box, the Brighton starlet unleashed an unstoppable, belting drive home for a late flourish to Sweden's near-perfect World Cup starting point.

Full-time Score - Sweden 5-1 Tunisia

Sweden Player Ratings

• Krstioffer Nordfelt (5)

• Gustaf Lagerbielke (6)

• Isak Hien (6)

• Victor Lindelof (6)

• Alexander Bernhardsson (6)

• Gabriel Gudmundsson (5)

• Yasin Ayari (9)

• Jesper Karlstrom (7)

• Benjamin Nygren (7)

• Alex Isak (9)

• Viktor Gyokeres (9)

• Lucas Bergvall (6)

• Elliot Stroud (7)

• Mattias Svanberg (7)

• Anthony Elanga (N/A)

• Daniel Svensson (N/A)

Tunisia Player Ratings

• Abdelmouhib Chamakh (2)

• Yan Valery (5)

• Montassar Talbi (6)

• Omar Rekik (7)

• Amine Ben Hamida (6)

• Rani Khedira (5)

• Ellyes Skhiri (6)

• Hannibal Mejbri (8)

• Ali Abdi (6)

• Anis Ben Slimane (5)

• Elias Saad (7)

• Sebastian Tounetki (6)

• Elias Achouri (6)

• Hadj Mahmoud (6)

• Ismael Gharbi (N/A)

• Firas Chaouat (N/A)

Men of the Match - Gyokeres and Isak

Gyökeres ➡️ Isak

Graham Potter was loving watching his star strikers link up for the first time since he took over in October 🤝 pic.twitter.com/kWY2YY3svX

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 15, 2026

We aren't splitting these two in this vote. Not a chance.

Despite a fairly frail looking Swedish defence, their front line more than made up that with two top-class striking talents.

The duo are big rivals at a club level, plying trades for Arsenal and Liverpool respectivley, but moved like a well-oiled two-pronged machine at the spearhead of the Swedish team. They were menacing with their runs, finishing and inter-personal play, and were the biggest catalyst for a successful start for Sweden and Graham Potter.

Bad Day at the Office - Abdelmouhib Chamakh

Tunisia keeper Mouhib Chamakh poor on both Swedish goals, especially the second, but the Isak-Gyokeres attack looking sharp and well-blended. #SWETUN

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 15, 2026

It feels like low-hanging fruit, going after a goalkeeper in this category, but some poor shot-stopping from Chamakh sees him land here nontheless.

He wasn't good enough in the buildup of the first goal and arguable could have done more against Ayari's powerful hit, and was worse for the strike itself from Isak for the second.