Monterrey [Mexico], June 15 : Sweden head coach Graham Potter praised the partnership between forwards Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres after the duo scored a goal each and also kept at testing Tunisia's defence in what was a commanding 5-1 win for Sweden in both teams' FIFA World Cup 2026 opener on Sunday (Local Time), according to Reuters.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Potter praised Isak and Gyokeres, saying that while both are outstanding players individually, their partnership makes them especially dangerous.
"Individually, of course, they are top players but I think together they can be a real threat. I think they'll get better and better the more they play; they complement each other very well," Potter said as quoted by Reuters.
While Yasin Ayari opened and completed the scoring, and substitute Mattias Svanberg also scored a goal, it was Isak and Gyokeres who consistently troubled Tunisia's back line throughout the match.
Potter said he was pleased with his team's performance, highlighting that while Sweden's attackers are of quality individually, their success depended on the team functioning well as a unit. He acknowledged that the performance was not flawless but felt the team controlled the game effectively from the outset.
"I'm really pleased with the players. We know the quality of the individuals in the front positions but they needed a team to function. We weren't perfect; we knew we wouldn't be. But at the start of the game I thought we had good control," he said.
Potter's side made a blistering start in Guadalupe and took control of the contest with two goals inside the opening half-hour. Tunisia goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh endured a difficult match and was at fault for Sweden's opener in the 18th minute.
Misjudging a long clearance from Victor Lindelof on the edge of his area, Chamakh was left scrambling as Gyokeres' initial effort was blocked. The loose ball fell kindly for Yasin Ayari, who fired into an unguarded net from long range to put Sweden ahead.
The Scandinavian side continued to press and doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark through Alexander Isak.
Gyokeres showed excellent awareness to release the forward on a swift counterattack, and Isak calmly slotted past Chamakh to make it 2-0.
Tunisia, however, refused to fold and found a way back into the match just before halftime. Omar Rekik escaped his marker to head home a floated delivery from Hannibal Mejbri, giving the Eagles of Carthage renewed hope heading into the break.
Any expectation of a Tunisian comeback quickly disappeared after the restart. Sweden restored their two-goal cushion on the hour when Isak capitalised on an error from captain Ellyes Skhiri before setting up Gyokeres, who rifled a close-range finish beyond Chamakh.
The goal continued the striker's remarkable international scoring form, taking his tally to 15 goals in his last 16 appearances for Sweden.
Although Mejbri continued to threaten with his creativity, Tunisia struggled to contain Sweden's attacking intensity in the closing stages.
Svanberg added a fourth goal with a composed finish inside the area before Ayari completed his brace in spectacular fashion, driving home from outside the box to cap a commanding Swedish performance.
The convincing win gives Sweden an ideal start ahead of a crucial Group F clash against the Netherlands, who drew 2-2 with Japan in their opening match.
Tunisia, on the other hand, face mounting pressure as they prepare to take on Japan next.