Last Updated:
Sweden defeated Tunisia 5-1 in a FIFA World Cup Group F clash held in Monterrey (Mexico) on Sunday.
Yasin Ayari (second from left) celebrates after scoring a goal. (AP Photo)
Sweden crushed Tunisia 5-1 on Sunday to seize control of World Cup Group F and leave the North African nation’s defensive reputation in tatters. Graham Potter’s men took the lead in Guadalupe in the seventh minute when Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box following a mix-up in the Tunisian defence.
The celebrations of Ayari, who is of Moroccan and Tunisian descent, were muted despite his fine finish. Sweden doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark after a rapid counterattack freed Alexander Isak on the left.
The Liverpool forward surged forward and cut inside before firing a shot that goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh failed to keep out, despite getting a hand to the ball. Tunisia had not conceded a single goal during qualifying, becoming the first side to achieve that feat, a record later matched by Ivory Coast and England.
Sweden looked capable of overwhelming their opponents, but the contest changed complexion minutes before half-time when Omar Rekik headed home Hannibal Mejbri’s teasing cross. However, the Scandinavian side restored their two-goal cushion in the 59th minute following another defensive calamity from Tunisia.
Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri was caught in possession on the edge of the box by Isak, who fed Viktor Gyokeres, and the Arsenal man fired home. Substitute Mattias Svanberg made it 4-1 late on after VAR ruled that he was onside.
There was still time for another stunning strike from Ayari, who found the net from outside the penalty area to complete the rout. Sweden reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia but failed to qualify for the tournament in Qatar four years later. Tunisia were the first African team to win a World Cup match when they defeated Mexico in 1978, but they have never progressed beyond the group stage.
Earlier in Group F, Japan scored a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands.
With AFP Inputs
About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
