ITV were forced to retreat inside their TV studio during live coverage of Monday’s World Cup Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia. It came after multiple lightning strikes in Manhattan, New York.
Shortly after Sweden beat Tunisia 5-1 and ITV returned from an advert break, presenter Semra Hunter said: “Speaking of dramatic scenes, if that wasn’t dramatic enough for you, take a look at this. Lightning strikes the top of One World Trade Centre right here in Manhattan, not once but twice! Because of that, we’ve had to come inside!”
Pundit Jobi McAnuff said: “We are quite brave at the best of times, but I think after seeing that it is best to run for cover and be safe in here.” Fortunately, the ITV team made it inside safely with no damage done.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak and Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres were in fine form for Graham Potter’s side as Sweden began their campaign with a dominant victory in Monterrey, Mexico.
Isak, Gyokeres, Mattias Svanberg and Yasin Ayari all scored, with Isak also providing two assists for Potter’s men.
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Brighton’s Ayari scored the pick of the goals with two stunning long-range strikes, on either side of the game, in both the sixth and 96th minute. Shortly after Ayari’s first, Isak doubled their lead in the 40th minute.
Gyokeres laid the ball off to the former Newcastle United forward near the halfway line before he drove forward, cut in on his right foot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.
View 2 ImagesAlexander Isak for scores Sweden against Tunisia (Image: (Luke Hales/Getty Images))
Omar Rekin went on to halve the deficit for Tunisia with his glancing header in the 43rd minute, sparking hopes of a comeback. But Gyokeres’ fine finish quickly restored the two-goal lead in the 59th minute after Isak turned provider on this occasion.
Substitute Mattias Svanberg then swept a fourth into the back of the net just 18 seconds after coming on as time ticked down. The offside flag initially went up, but a lengthy VAR review revealed a slight touch from Isak meant the midfielder had returned to an onside position.
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A second stunner from Ayari then rounded off the dominant performance for Potter’s team. Sweden now sit top of Group F after the Netherlands and Japan played out a 2-2 draw in Dallas, the United States on Sunday evening.
Potter was delighted with his team’s performance and gave full credit to his players post-match.
He said: “Great performance. Five goals. Solid. All credit to the players, they were fantastic.”
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Sweden will play the Netherlands next on Saturday evening (6pm BST) while Tunisia take on Japan at 5am BST on Sunday.