Liverpool striker Alexander Isak made a big impact on his World Cup debut, scoring and assisting for Sweden as Graham Potter's side won 5-1 against Tunisia in Guadalupe, Mexico
09:59, 15 Jun 2026
Alexander Isak and Mattias Svanberg of Sweden celebrate during their 5-1 win over Tunisia at the World Cup.
Alexander Isak and Mattias Svanberg of Sweden celebrate during their 5-1 win over Tunisia at the World Cup.(Image: Alejandro Espino/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak says it was "surreal" to be playing for Sweden at the World Cup, with the Liverpool striker scoring and playing well against Tunisia for Graham Potter's side.
The Reds ace offered a perfect reminder to Andoni Iraola about the quality that he offers as a number nine. After a frustrating debut season at Liverpool, Isak will be hoping to stay fit next term and show that he was worth splashing $169 million (£125 million) on.
"This effort means a lot," Isak is quoted as saying, via the Sweden Herald. "It's a different environment here because we're playing for Sweden, for our homeland.
"It feels incredible. There are many of us who are World Cup debutants, and to be able to debut in this way is a bit surreal, actually."
Isak played well and also linked up with Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres effectively, which will be a major boost for Potter's team. In those two strikers, Sweden has a major threat to any opponent.
"Like the rest of the team, we're doing well," Isak continued. "We got an early goal, which made it a bit easier to play football.
MONTERREY, MEXICO - JUNE 14: Alexander Isak (9) of Sweden celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup First Stage Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia at Estadio BBVA (Monterrey Stadium) in Monterrey, Mexico on June 14, 2026. (Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak scored for Sweden(Image: 2026 Anadolu)
"(Gyokeres and I) are supposed to be the difference. We are supposed to counter and do maximum actions and then recover a bit.
"When the two of us play together, it doesn't mean that we have to play a certain way or anything. The most important thing is that we contribute to the team."
As well as scoring against Tunisia, Isak also provided two assists for his teammates and was named the Player of the Match.
Partly as a result of Isak's performance, Sweden is already well-placed to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament with fixtures against the Netherlands and Japan to come.
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While those games will be much more difficult to win, the best third-placed teams progress in the expanded World Cup format, and Isak helped to rack up a substantial goal difference.
"Fantastic," Sweden boss Potter told ITV Sport at the final whistle. "Great goals, five goals, solid and we could have scored more. It was brilliant, full credit to the players. They were fantastic.
"It [their goal] came from not that much really. It can happen in football. The boys remained calm and maintained a goal threat which was important for us. There is room to improve. We will enjoy tonight, recover and get ready again."