Tunisia’s opening match of the 2026 World Cup ended in disappointment as the North African side suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat against Sweden, a result that has triggered widespread criticism of the team’s performance and placed particular focus on goalkeeper Moheb Chamekh.
The goalkeeper emerged as the lowest-rated player from either side following the Group F encounter, according to several statistics and performance analysis platforms, which awarded him a score of 3.6 out of 10.
The rating came after a difficult evening in which Tunisia conceded five goals, leaving the “Eagles of Carthage” facing immediate pressure in their World Cup campaign.
Difficult start proves costly
Chamekh’s evening began in challenging circumstances when Tunisia fell behind early in the match.
According to the assessments cited by statistical platforms, the goalkeeper played a significant role in the opening goal scored by Yassine Ayari in the seventh minute. Analysts also attributed part of the responsibility for Sweden’s second goal, scored by Alexander Isak during the first half, to the Tunisian goalkeeper.
Those incidents placed Tunisia under pressure against a Swedish side that proved highly efficient in front of goal throughout the contest.
While criticism was not directed solely at Chamekh, as Tunisia’s defensive unit also struggled, his individual mistakes became a major talking point in post-match evaluations.
Observers noted that Sweden capitalised on many of the opportunities created during the match, making it increasingly difficult for Tunisia to mount any meaningful recovery.
Controversy over final goal
The scrutiny intensified after Sweden’s fifth goal, which arrived during stoppage time.
The goal came from a long-range effort by Yassine Ayari and generated discussion among supporters and followers of the national team. Some questioned whether the goalkeeper could have dealt with the shot more effectively, adding to the criticism surrounding his overall display.
The goal capped a difficult evening for Tunisia and further contributed to the low ratings awarded to the goalkeeper after the final whistle.
Unwanted place in the record books
Beyond the immediate disappointment of the World Cup defeat, the match also brought an unwanted statistical milestone for Chamekh.
The goalkeeper became the first player in the history of the Tunisian national team to concede ten goals across two consecutive international matches.
That record follows Tunisia’s recent friendly defeat to Belgium earlier this month, a match in which Chamekh also conceded five goals.
The statistic has heightened concerns over Tunisia’s defensive stability as the team attempts to recover from a difficult start to the tournament.
Midfield struggles also highlighted
Although Chamekh received the harshest criticism, he was not the only Tunisian player whose performance attracted attention.
Midfielders Rani Khedira and Ellyes Skhiri also received modest evaluations after the match. Khedira was rated 5.1 out of 10, while Skhiri was awarded 5.5 out of 10.
Analysts pointed to Tunisia’s inability to control the midfield battle as another factor behind the team’s struggles against Sweden.
However, despite criticism of several players, evaluation platforms were unanimous in identifying Chamekh as Tunisia’s poorest performer on the night.
A Night to Forget for Tunisia’s Goalkeeper
The 5-1 defeat to Sweden will be remembered as one of Tunisia’s most difficult World Cup results, and for Moheb Chamekh it represented an especially challenging chapter in his international career. Statistical evaluations, individual mistakes and an unwanted record combined to place the goalkeeper at the centre of post-match analysis.
As Tunisia prepares for its next World Cup fixture, attention will inevitably focus on how both Chamekh and the wider team respond to a defeat that has raised serious questions about their ability to compete at the highest level of the tournament.
