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Yasin Ayari netted Sweden's World Cup opener but chose not to celebrate
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Sweden got off to a rapid start in their inaugural World Cup match against Tunisia.
A brilliant strike by Yasin Ayari gave Sweden an early advantage at Monterrey Stadium, setting the stage for them to rise to the top of World Cup Group F.
Tunisia's inability to completely clear the ball after Viktor Gyokeres had a shot blocked on the goal line allowed Ayari to control it and fire a bending effort into the top corner.
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The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder's powerful shot was just his second goal in his 10th senior international appearance, but it was historic as it ended a 36-year drought.
At 22 years and 251 days old, he became the youngest goalscorer for Sweden at a World Cup finals since Tomas Brolin in 1990, who was 20 years and 190 days.
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In spite of his historic goal, Ayari refrained from celebrating as teammates from Graham Potter's side surrounded him, instead raising his hands.
However, he did go on to celebrate after netting a second, similarly impressive long-range shot to seal a dominant 5-1 victory.
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The 22-year-old is well aware that if circumstances had been different, he might have been playing for Tunisia instead of against them in Monterrey's 'Steel Giant'.
His father Azzouz was born in Tunisia, and in 2021, representatives from that country approached the then Sweden under-21 international about switching national teams.
Morocco could also have made a claim for his representation due to Ayari's mother hailing from the land of the recently crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions.
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Yet the young midfielder turned down the chance to represent Tunisia at the 2022 World Cup and remained loyal to his birth country after some guidance from his father.
“My son wanted to play for Tunisia, but I asked him to represent Sweden instead, as it is the country that welcomed and developed him. It was his duty to give something back,” Azzouz later told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi was already familiar with Ayari's abilities before his stunning goal, acknowledging: "I know him and his brother. He made a choice, I have a lot of respect, and he's a very good player."
Their loss has already turned out to be Sweden's gain.
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