Isak stars as Sweden thrash Tunisia 5-1 at World Cup

June 15, 2026

Alexander Isak holds the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match award after scoring one goal and creating two more in Sweden's 5-1 victory over Tunisia in Group F at Monterrey Stadium on 14 June 2026. Photo: FIFA/Getty Images

Alexander Isak scored one goal and created two more as Sweden opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 5-1 victory over Tunisia in Group F at Monterrey Stadium on Sunday.

The Newcastle United striker was named Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match, silencing those who had questioned his form heading into the tournament. Team-mate Victor Lindelof was quick to point out that the performance came as no surprise to those inside the camp.

“I have huge admiration for him as a player and I have high expectations of him as well,” Lindelof told FIFA. “I expect nothing less from a player like him. People were questioning whether he was in good shape or in form before the World Cup and I think he showed it today with his performance.”

Yasin Ayari added two goals of his own to send Sweden to the top of Group F, and the Brighton midfielder was equally full of praise for Isak’s contribution.

“We know how good he is. We know what he can do when we give him the ball and today he showed in an important game what he can do,” Ayari said.

The match carried a personal dimension for Ayari, whose father is Tunisian. “It was a tough game. An emotional game for me because this is my country as well,” he said. “I’m happy we could win the game and I’m happy to score two goals.”

The result stands as Sweden’s second biggest World Cup victory, matching the four-goal winning margin against Bulgaria in the 1994 third-place playoff, though falling short of their record 8-0 demolition of Cuba in 1938.

Lindelof reflected on a near-perfect team display across both halves. “Obviously very happy with the three points today. It’s so special to go into the first game of a big tournament so for us to get the three points today is the perfect start. In the first half we controlled the game well with the ball; second half we controlled the game well without the ball. We knew if we stayed compact they would lose the ball eventually and then we had big spaces to attack. I think the game plan was absolutely perfect and I’m super happy with how we performed with and without the ball.”

Sweden’s next Group F fixture is an all-European meeting with the Netherlands at Houston Stadium on Saturday.