Alexander Isak has come in for some criticism from Zlatan Ibrahimovic after Sweden's exit from the World Cup, and the Liverpool star hasn't pushed back at the former striker
08:57, 01 Jul 2026
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 30: Alexander Isak of Sweden is seen at full time after Sweden suffer a 3-0 defeat during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak has come in for criticism from Zlatan Ibrahimovic(Image: Getty Images)
Alexander Isak has come in for criticism from Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his role in Sweden’s defeat to France at the World Cup - and the Liverpool star has admitted the former striker could be right.
Isak became the fifth Liverpool player to exit the tournament in the last two days as Sweden was soundly beaten 3-0 in New Jersey, with Kylian Mbappe on fire as he added another two goals to his tally.
There was very little Isak could do as his side were comfortably second-best against the tournament favorites, with the 26-year-old joining Florian Wirtz, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo in making an early exit from the World Cup.
Swedish legend Ibrahimovic though feels there is more Isak could have done, and the former AC Milan and PSG star believes the Liverpool frontman should have prevented Mbappe from opening the scoring.
The Real Madrid ace ended Sweden’s resistance just before half-time, evading Viktor Gyokeres’ tackle before curling the ball home superbly, and from there France never looked back as it dominated proceedings.
Analyzing the goal for Fox, Thierry Henry said: “What you saw on the goal is three intelligent players understanding what is what.
“The ball was quick, a one vs one for Mbappe and who came to defend – Gyokeres. How is he going to stop Mbappe one vs one?
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“That used to be my position on the corner – the guy on the front post. If you play short, who is going to come? The guy on the front post. And who is the guy on the front post? A guy who cannot defend.
“So isolate him against Mbappe. When you have three guys who are intelligent playing there, they realized that and they exposed it.”
Ibrahimovic though pointed the finger at Isak, having accused the Liverpool striker of not putting enough pressure on his opponent.
“When he [Henry] says the movement of Mbappe, look at Isak’s movement, he should’ve followed Mbappe,” Ibrahimovic said.
STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA, MILANO, ITALY - 2026/03/08: Former player Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on during the Serie A football match between Ac Milan and FC Internazionale . Ac Milan wins 1-0 over Fc Internazionale. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic wasn't happy with Alexander Isak's role in France's opening goal(Image: Getty Images)
Confronted with Ibrahimovic’s criticism at full-time, Isak didn’t fight back, and instead suggested that he could have a point.
“Absolutely, very possible,” Isak said (via Sportbladet). “It's sometimes difficult to know exactly what to do with these players.
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“On the corners I've been a second ball player, outside the penalty area and the players who are there. But with the players France have, they are very free in their roles, they are a bit everywhere. But maybe I would have reacted better.”
Isak will now return home before reporting back to Liverpool for pre-season later this summer. The striker will be hoping for an improved second year at Anfield, with his first campaign yielding just four goals as he struggled with injuries.