Isak scores and assists twice as Sweden demolish Tunisia 5-1 in World Cup opener

Alexander Isak marked his return to top form with a goal and two assists as Sweden opened their World Cup campaign with a 5-1 demolition of Tunisia in Group F, silencing any doubts about his fitness after an injury-disrupted club season.

The Liverpool forward, who broke his leg in December and managed only three Premier League goals in his debut season at Anfield following a British record move from Newcastle United, was named man of the match after a commanding performance. Swedish outlet Aftonbladet reported that Isak “dominated” throughout, noting how he “stole the ball from Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri” to set up Viktor Gyokeres for one of the goals, while also netting Sweden’s second himself from range at the end of a counter-attack.

Isak’s 30th-minute strike was his first World Cup goal, and Expressen noted that the 26-year-old had “introduced himself again” after overcoming “an injury-plagued season”. The outlet described Sweden’s victory — their first World Cup win since 2018 — as placing the team “in a golden position” to reach the knockout stages.

His attacking partnership with Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres drew particular attention, with the pair combining effectively throughout the evening. Isak also touched a late free-kick into the path of substitute Mattias Svanberg, who “scored immediately” after coming on.

“The plan was that we [Isak and Gyokeres] could be the difference and counter,” Isak said after the final whistle. “Do maximum actions and then recover a bit. It worked well. Playing well together doesn’t necessarily mean we’re playing tiki-taka with each other or assisting each other. The most important thing is that we contribute to the team.”

The performance will be closely watched by new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, who inherited a forward whose debut season was hampered by injury. A World Cup in this kind of form offers Isak the ideal stage to demonstrate he has returned to peak condition ahead of the new club campaign.