Sweden Thrash Tunisia 5-1 As Ayari Steals the Show
Photo: REUTERS
Sweden demolished Tunisia 5-1 at the Monterrey Stadium, as Yasin Ayari scored a brace and strikers Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres also found the net in their World Cup Group F clash.
Sweden asserted their dominance over Tunisia from the very beginning, with 20-year-old Ayari stealing the limelight. Born in Sweden to parents of Tunisian and Moroccan descent, Ayari faced his ancestral homeland and gave Sweden an early lead with a brilliant goal.
Although Tunisia pulled a goal back late in the first half to reduce the deficit to 2-1, the Swedes completely blew them out of the match in the second half.
In the 60th minute, Viktor Gyökeres capitalised on a catastrophic error by the Tunisian defence to score the team’s third goal following a pass from Isak. Substitute Mattias Svanberg then extended the lead to 4-1 in the 86th minute.
Deep into stoppage time, in the 96th minute, Ayari sealed his brace and the team’s fifth goal with a stunning right-footed rocket from outside the penalty area.
This result marks Tunisia's third consecutive defeat. They next face Japan in Group F, while Sweden travel to Houston to meet the Netherlands.