Audio By Carbonatix
Alexander Isak marked his first World Cup appearance with a trademark goal as Sweden thrashed Tunisia in their opening match of the tournament in Monterrey.
The Liverpool forward - who has been hampered by injuries since completing a ÂŁ125m move to Anfield in September - found the bottom corner with a thumping finish after a powerful run from the left on the half-hour mark.
The goal came after linking up with strike partner Viktor Gyokeres, with the Arsenal forward holding off his marker on the halfway line before laying the ball into the path of his fellow Premier League forward.
His strike doubled Sweden's advantage after Yasin Ayari had rifled a shot into the top corner after seven minutes following a sloppy piece of defending from Tunisia.
The 22-year-old Brighton midfielder - who made his senior international debut while on loan at Coventry City in 2023 - refused to celebrate after becoming Sweden's youngest World Cup scorer since Tomas Brolin in 1990, with his first international goal coming against the country of his father's birth.
Tunisia halved the deficit two minutes before half-time when defender Omar Rekik headed home from Hannibal Mejbri's free-kick.
But Sweden hit back when Isak turned provider - first for Gyokeres on the hour mark, then again 24 minutes later when substitute Mattias Svanberg scored the fastest goal by a substitute in World Cup history, just 12 seconds after coming on.
Ayari applied the gloss to a five-star performance by smashing home his second long-distance goal, and Sweden's fifth, to send Graham Potter's side top of Group F.
Latest Stories
-
World Cup 2026: The Stars that were a kick away from a semi-final 16 years ago, arrive in USA not as standard-bearers
11 minutes -
Sky Train trial: $2m loss was caused by Covid-19, defence lawyers argue
23 minutes -
Petrol prices set for sharpest drop in months as fuel costs fall from June 16
30 minutes -
Vehicle pollution, a leading risk factor for death in Ghana both the children and working class
49 minutes -
GNFS intensifies fire prevention campaigns in Eastern Region
57 minutes -
Presidency cuts political appointees by 124, but compensation bill jumps 148% and staff classifications raise questions
58 minutes -
Retirees benefit from 7th health screening of Lordina Foundation
1 hour -
Sogakope residents storm ECG office over alleged overbilling, poor service delivery
1 hour -
BoG extends registration deadline for money transfer operators
1 hour -
Esiama Market to become commercial hub of Ellembelle – Kofi Buah
1 hour -
Black Stars to depart Rhode Island for Toronto today ahead of Panama clash on Wednesday
2 hours -
Wenchi 24-Hour Market project takes shape
2 hours -
Suaman MP urges NPP members to rally behind Dr Bawumia for victory 2028
2 hours -
Auditors’ Court to be established to prosecute audit offences – Ato Forson
2 hours -
Ato Forson raises concern over public sector waste, calls for stronger internal audits
2 hours