MONTERREY - Sweden produced the standout performance of the opening round of World Cup Group F matches on Sunday, crushing Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey as midfielder Yasin Ayari scored twice in a commanding display that sent his side to the top of the standings.
Ayari opened the scoring in the seventh minute after capitalising on a goalkeeping error before unleashing a powerful strike into the net. Sweden doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Alexander Isak finished a swift counterattack after being released by strike partner Viktor Gyokeres.
Tunisia struggled to recover from the early setback but briefly reignited hopes when defender Omar Rekik headed home their first effort on target shortly before halftime. Sweden, however, remained in control and restored their two-goal cushion on the hour mark as Isak dispossessed Ellyes Skhiri and set up Gyokeres for a simple finish.
Substitute Mattias Svanberg added a fourth goal in the 84th minute after a VAR review overturned an offside decision, before Ayari completed the rout in stoppage time with another spectacular long-range effort. The result marked Sweden's highest-scoring World Cup performance since their 8-0 victory over Cuba in 1938.
Elsewhere in Group F, Japan fought back twice to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas. Virgil van Dijk gave the Dutch the lead early in the second half, but Keito Nakamura quickly equalised. Crysencio Summerville restored the Netherlands' advantage before Daichi Kamada's late deflected effort earned Japan a deserved point.
In Group E, Ivory Coast claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia thanks to Amad Diallo's clinical 90th-minute winner. The match was an entertaining contest with both sides striking the woodwork before the Manchester United forward calmly steered home Wilfried Singo's pass to end Ecuador's 19-match unbeaten run. Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae praised his side's resilience after surviving several Ecuadorian chances. The victory gives the Ivorians an early advantage ahead of a highly anticipated clash with Germany.
Germany, meanwhile, delivered the most emphatic result of the day, thrashing World Cup debutants Curacao 7-1 in Houston. The four-time champions overcame a nervous start before taking complete control, extending their winning streak to 10 matches and recording their first opening-game World Cup victory in 12 years. Coach Julian Nagelsmann's side received encouraging performances from young midfielder Nathaniel Brown, who contributed a goal and an assist, while substitute Deniz Undav continued his impressive form with a goal and two assists.
