Sweden crush Tunisia 5–1 as Ayari stars and Isak–Gyökeres click

Sweden demolish Tunisia 5–1 in World Cup opener

That was worth the wait. Sweden walked into AT&T Stadium and ripped Tunisia apart 5–1 to start Group F. A night that had everything, two-goal Yasin Ayari, an Isak–Gyökeres link-up that looked telepathic, and an opponent left apologizing to its people. You go top of the group after one matchday and the whole tournament has noticed. (1) (2) (3) (5)

Ayari steals the show, then refuses to celebrate

Yasin Ayari scored twice, including a long-range strike that the BBC called a "thunderbolt" (7). Then he kept his hands down. Ayari has Tunisian heritage and chose not to celebrate against the country his family comes from. A performance and a gesture fans will remember. (3) (7) (11) (16)

Isak and Gyökeres ran it together

Alexander Isak scored with a Viktor Gyökeres assist. Gyökeres scored with an Isak assist. The two strikers combined like they've played together for years, and suddenly Sweden's attack looks built for this tournament. (5) (6)

Tunisia's Rekik: "I want to apologize to the Tunisian people"

Omar Rekik called the defeat embarrassing and apologized directly to Tunisian fans. When an opponent is publicly saying sorry after playing you, you've done something right. Sweden made a statement. (4) (13)

Potter's best night in football

Graham Potter once described Viktor Gyökeres' 89th-minute winner against Poland in the play-offs as his best night in football (3). Monday in Dallas might have topped it. Potter has defended Gyökeres publicly when fans questioned his output, and the striker repaid that faith with a goal and an assist in the opener.

Fan reactions

Arsenal supporters flooded the match threads on r/Gunners the moment Gyökeres and Isak combined, both goals from the strikers were clipped and shared within minutes. The Isak goal with a Gyökeres assist at 30 minutes drew a wave of "that link-up" comments, and when Gyökeres made it 3–1 at the hour mark the thread lit up with pure celebration. The mood across r/soccer was one of admiration: Sweden looked frightening going forward and the rest of Group F took notice. Watch the Gyökeres goal here.