Monterrey. Yasin Ayari scored twice and Sweden showed it belonged at the 2026 World Cup, routing Tunisia 5-1 on Sunday night to move atop Group F.

Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres each had a goal and an assist, while Mattias Svanberg also scored for Sweden, which entered the tournament ranked 39th in the world. The Swedes missed the 2022 World Cup after reaching the quarterfinals in Russia four years earlier.

Omar Rekik scored for 45th-ranked Tunisia, which is making its seventh World Cup appearance but has never advanced beyond the group stage.

The higher-ranked teams in the group, the Netherlands and Japan, played to a 2-2 draw earlier Sunday in Arlington, Texas.

Ayari bookended the scoring at Estadio BBVA with long-range goals in the seventh minute and second-half stoppage time. He celebrated the opener modestly, raising his hands out of respect for the country where his father was born.

Isak scored his 18th international goal in the 30th minute after Gyökeres found the Liverpool striker on a counterattack. Isak, who missed much of last season with a broken leg, cut inside and fired a low shot past Tunisian goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh, who struggled throughout the match.

After Rekik briefly slowed Sweden's momentum with his goal in the 43rd minute, Isak and Gyökeres restored control early in the second half. Isak stole the ball and set up Gyökeres for a one-on-one chance against Chamakh that the Arsenal striker finished easily for his 21st international goal and 16th in his last 15 appearances for Sweden.

Svanberg added a goal in the 84th minute after a lengthy video review confirmed the score.

Sweden will face the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, while Tunisia remains in Monterrey to play Japan the same day.

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