Monterrey [Mexico], June 15 (ANI): Sweden head coach Graham Potter praised the partnership between forwards Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres after the duo scored a purpose every and in addition saved at testing Tunisia’s defence in what was a commanding 5-1 win for Sweden in each groups’ FIFA World Cup 2026 opener on Sunday (Local Time), in response to Reuters.
Speaking on the post-match press convention, Potter praised Isak and Gyokeres, saying that whereas each are excellent gamers individually, their partnership makes them particularly harmful.
‘Individually, in fact, they’re high gamers however I believe collectively they could be a actual menace. I believe they’re going to get higher and higher the extra they play; they complement one another very properly,’ Potter stated as quoted by Reuters.
While Yasin Ayari opened and accomplished the scoring, and substitute Mattias Svanberg additionally scored a purpose, it was Isak and Gyokeres who persistently troubled Tunisia’s again line all through the match.
Potter stated he was happy along with his staff’s efficiency, highlighting that whereas Sweden’s attackers are of high quality individually, their success trusted the staff functioning properly as a unit. He acknowledged that the efficiency was not flawless however felt the staff managed the sport successfully from the outset.
‘I’m actually happy with the gamers. We know the standard of the people within the entrance positions however they wanted a staff to operate. We weren’t excellent; we knew we would not be. But at the beginning of the sport I assumed we had good management,’ he stated.
Potter’s aspect made a blistering begin in Guadalupe and took management of the competition with two objectives contained in the opening half-hour. Tunisia goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh endured a troublesome match and was at fault for Sweden’s opener within the 18th minute.
Misjudging a protracted clearance from Victor Lindelof on the sting of his space, Chamakh was left scrambling as Gyokeres’ preliminary effort was blocked. The free ball fell kindly for Yasin Ayari, who fired into an unguarded internet from lengthy vary to place Sweden forward.
The Scandinavian aspect continued to press and doubled their benefit on the half-hour mark by means of Alexander Isak.
Gyokeres confirmed glorious consciousness to launch the ahead on a swift counterattack, and Isak calmly slotted previous Chamakh to make it 2-0.
Tunisia, nevertheless, refused to fold and located a manner again into the match simply earlier than halftime. Omar Rekik escaped his marker to go residence a floated supply from Hannibal Mejbri, giving the Eagles of Carthage renewed hope heading into the break.
Any expectation of a Tunisian comeback rapidly disappeared after the restart. Sweden restored their two-goal cushion on the hour when Isak capitalised on an error from captain Ellyes Skhiri earlier than establishing Gyokeres, who rifled a close-range end past Chamakh.
The purpose continued the striker’s exceptional worldwide scoring kind, taking his tally to fifteen objectives in his final 16 appearances for Sweden.
Although Mejbri continued to threaten along with his creativity, Tunisia struggled to comprise Sweden’s attacking depth within the closing phases.
Svanberg added a fourth purpose with a composed end inside the realm earlier than Ayari accomplished his brace in spectacular trend, driving residence from exterior the field to cap a commanding Swedish efficiency.
The convincing win offers Sweden a super begin forward of a vital Group F conflict towards the Netherlands, who drew 2-2 with Japan of their opening match.
Tunisia, then again, face mounting strain as they put together to tackle Japan subsequent. (ANI)