Ayari scores twice as Sweden open World Cup in style

Brighton and Hove Albion FC Football Sport

Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari scored twice against his father's nation as Graham Potter’s Sweden opened their World Cup in style.

Viktor Gyokeres was also on target as Sweden proved too strong for Tunisia and sealed a 5-1 win.

And Alexander Isak put his injury-wrecked first season with Liverpool behind him, grabbing Sweden’s second goal before seizing on a defensive mishap to provide Gyokeres with the third.

Ayari's father is from Tunisia and mother from Morocco but the family decided it was best he play for the country of his birth.

Tunisia cruised through qualifying without conceding a goal, but were behind inside seven minutes in Monterrey as they failed to deal with a ball over the top.

Goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh beat Isak to the ball and Gyokeres’ follow-up was blocked, but Ayari rifled in from outside the box.

Elias Saad forced a save from Kristoffer Nordfeldt at the other end, but Sweden doubled their advantage just before the half hour, a counterattack releasing Isak on the left before he cut inside and found the far corner past the flailing Chamakh who misjudged his dive.

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The Swedes looked comfortable but their advantage was halved just before the break, Omar Rekik heading in a cross from Hannibal Mejbri.

Sweden stretched their advantage just before the hour as they seized on another Tunisian error, Isak catching the dawdling captain Ellyes Skhiri in possession outside the box and fed Gyokeres who had plenty of time and space to fire home.