Sweden 5 – 1 Tunisia

Alexander Isak and Victor Geokeres were in fine form as Sweden cruised to a comfortable 5-1 win over Tunisia to open their World Cup campaign in Group F.

Brighton’s Yasin Ayari opened the scoring with two stunning long-range strikes – either side of the game in the sixth and 96th minutes – but performances from Sweden’s star forwards kept them in check.

Shortly after Ayari’s first game, his celebrations muted out of respect for his father’s birthplace and the country he could represent, Isak doubled Sweden’s lead in the 40th minute.

Geokeres laid the ball past the Liverpool striker near the halfway line before stepping forward, cutting onto his right foot and slotting the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Omar Rekin halved the deficit for Tunisia with a header just before the break to spark hopes of a comeback (43) but a superb finish from Geokeres quickly restored the two-goal lead (59) after Isak joined in on the chance.

Substitute Mattias Svanberg, 18 seconds after coming on, then swept the fourth into the back of the net for Sweden as time ticked on (84). The offside flag initially went up, but a lengthy VAR review revealed that a slight touch from Isak meant the midfielder was back in an onside position.

A second stunner from Airey, too good to mute his celebrations with the effort, then rounded off a dominant performance for Graham Potter.

After the win, they have climbed to the top of Group F Japan’s equalizing goal in the 89th minute drew the Netherlands 2-2 on Sunday.

Key moments from Guadalupe…

• 7: Goal! An Ayari stunner gave Sweden an early lead when Geokeres’ strike was cleared off the line.

• 30: Goal! Isak’s solo effort doubles Sweden’s advantage – is he back to his best?

• 43: Goal! Mezbri’s cross was met by Recic to halve Tunisia’s deficit.

• 59: Goal! Geokeres scored Sweden’s third to restore the two-goal lead.

• 84: Goal! Svanberg scored 18 seconds after the goal was allowed to stand after a VAR review.

• 90+6: Goal! Ayari scored a second stunner to dominate and win.

Analysis: Isak and Gyokeres can cause problems for any defense

Gyokeres and Isak became the second Swedish strike partnership to assist each other at a World Cup after their performance against Tunisia.

Managing world-class talent playing in the same position is a headache that often plagues international managers. Ask any England boss over the last 30 years.

But the way Isak and Gyokeres combined, throughout the game and not just for their goals, will be a welcome sight for Potter.

They are two of the best forwards in world football, capable of causing problems for any defense on their day, and Sweden will need them firing on all cylinders ahead of tough games against Japan and the Netherlands.

Isak looked sharp and confident on the ball, making a welcome return to an inconsistent season due to injury, while Geokeres looked equally threatening in the final third.

If they keep playing like this, Sweden could be one to watch this summer.

Potter: We still have room to improve

Sweden boss Graham Potter speaking to ITV:

“Five goals and solid, we could have scored more. All credit to the players; they were fantastic.

“The boys stayed calm and kept up the goal threat. We took the win.

“There is room to improve but we will enjoy tonight and recover to be ready again.”

What does the result mean?

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