Sweden
Tunisia
Group F concludes its opening fixtures in the early hours at the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Monterrey, as Sweden and Tunisia meet in what could prove the most critical game in determining who accompanies the Netherlands and Japan in the knockout stage. Both sides arrive carrying the baggage of difficult recent form. Both arrive with a point to prove. And both — for very different reasons — should probably not be here at all.
Sweden — Blågult
Graham Potter's side line up in a 3-5-2, with Nordfeldt in goal behind a back three of Lagerbielke, Hien and Lindelof. The wing-backs are Gudmundsson on the left — a doubt after battling a virus in the build-up, with Daniel Svensson on standby if he cannot go — and Bernhardsson on the right. The midfield three of Karlström, Nygren and Ayari provides the industry and structure in the middle of the pitch.
Up front, the partnership of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres is one of the most feared striking combinations at this entire World Cup. Isak — who has been one of the Premier League's most lethal forwards since joining Newcastle — partners with Gyökeres, who ended the club season at Arsenal with 32 goals across all competitions and arrived at this tournament having already delivered the moments that got Sweden here in the first place. He scored a hat-trick against Ukraine in the Nations League semi-final before winning the qualifying playoff final against Poland with a late goal that sent Sweden — against all logic — to North America. Separately, either is capable of winning a match. Together, they are as dangerous a front two as any side in this group.
The context of Sweden's qualification is genuinely remarkable. They became the first nation in history to reach a World Cup after finishing last in their qualifying group without a single win. They lost to Kosovo, failed to beat Slovenia, and were eliminated by Switzerland in Group B. The Nations League was their only lifeline — and they clung to it desperately. Potter was handed a contract extension even before winning his first game. The pressure on this squad to finally perform at a major tournament is immense.
The defensive concern is real, however. Sweden have conceded in 11 consecutive fixtures — including pre-tournament losses to Norway (3-1) and a draw with Greece (2-2). Tunisia will have noted that carefully.
Tunisia — Eagles of Carthage
Sabri Lamouchi sets up in a mirror 3-5-2, with Chamakh in goal behind a back three of Arous, Talbi and Rekik. The wing-backs are Abdi and Valery, with the midfield three of Khedira, Mejbri and Skhiri providing the competitive core of this side. Hannibal Mejbri — the former Manchester United academy product now at Marseille — is Tunisia's most creative player and carries a significant portion of their attacking threat through the middle. Aïssa Laïdouni-style industry from Skhiri alongside him gives the midfield balance.
Up front, Achouri and Chaouat partner in attack. Tunisia's qualification was outstanding — nine wins from ten games in CAF, 13 clean sheets in their 19-match unbeaten run, and they did not concede a single goal throughout the entire qualifying campaign. The platform is excellent. The problem is what happens at the other end — they have failed to score in three consecutive matches heading into this fixture and have netted just once in four, including a 5-0 thrashing by Belgium just eight days before the tournament began. That is an alarming number to carry into a World Cup opener.
Tunisia's World Cup record in the finals makes grim reading — six group stage exits from six appearances, just three wins from 18 matches. For all the promise of their qualification, they have never been able to translate it onto the biggest stage. This squad, and this fixture, represents their best opportunity in years to finally break that pattern.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Hannibal Mejbri vs the Sweden midfield. Mejbri is Tunisia's most dangerous creative outlet — quick, direct and capable of driving forward from central positions in a way that can unlock compact defensive structures. If he can get on the ball in space and run at Sweden's back three, Tunisia have a genuine chance of causing problems. Karlström and Nygren in the Sweden midfield will be tasked with denying him exactly that, knowing that if they lose that battle, their own shaky defensive record becomes dangerously exposed.
Prediction
Both sides are flawed. Sweden can be breached — eleven consecutive games without a clean sheet makes that abundantly clear. Tunisia cannot score — three blank games in a row before a tournament opener is a deeply worrying sign. Those two weaknesses cancel each other out to some extent, but Sweden carry considerably more attacking quality up front. Isak and Gyökeres together are simply too good for a Tunisia side that has struggled to find the net against anyone of note.
Expect Gyökeres to continue his heroics and fire Sweden to a win that — given the circus of their qualification — they thoroughly deserve.
Sweden 2–0 Tunisia — Gyökeres, Isak
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