NEW YORK:
Sweden crushed Tunisia 5-1 on Sunday to depart the North African nation’s defensive fame in tatters and seize management of World Cup Group F.
Graham Potter’s males took the lead in Guadalupe within the seventh minute courtesy of Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari’sthunderbolt from outdoors the field, following a mix-up on the again.
The celebrations of Ayari, who’s of Moroccan and Tunisian descent, have been muted regardless of his high-quality end.
Sweden doubled their lead on half an hour after a fast break freed Alexander Isak on the left.
The Liverpool ahead raced ahead and lower inside earlier than unleashing a shot, which goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh didn’t preserve out, despite the fact that he acquired a hand to the ball.
Tunisia didn’t concede a single purpose in qualifying, turning into the primary facet to attain that feat, subsequently matched by Ivory Coast and England.
Sweden threatened to overwhelm their opponents however the match modified complexion minutes earlier than half-time when Omar Rekik headed dwelling Hannibal Mejbri’s teasing cross.
Nonetheless, the Scandinavian nation restored their two-goal cushion within the 59th minute after one other defensive calamity for Tunisia.
Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri was caught in possession on the sting of the field by Isak, who fed Viktor Gyokeres and the Arsenal man fired dwelling.
Substitute Mattias Svanberg made it 4-1 late on after VAR dominated he was onside.
And there was nonetheless time for an additional beautiful purpose from Ayarifrom outdoors the penalty field.
Sweden reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia however didn’t qualify for the event in Qatar 4 years later.
Tunisia have been the primary African group to win a World Cup match after they beat Mexico in 1978, however they’ve by no means progressed past the group levels.
Earlier in Group F, Japan scored late to attract 2-2 in opposition to the Netherlands.
