From last-chance saloon to World Cup redemption for Potter

When Graham Potter strode out to Sweden training last week donning a Stetson, it was a bit of fun to get into the World Cup mood as they prepared for the tournament in Texas.

Some might have quipped that the cowboy hat was fitting for a manager who was maybe drinking in last-chance saloon following back-to-back sackings in his previous jobs lasting a combined 15 months.

But at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico, Potter's side showed they mean business in this competition after the fun at training from their head coach.

A ruthless Sweden side stuck five past Tunisia as they tore their Group F rivals apart.

For a manager who was dismissed by West Ham in September after failing at Chelsea before that, few would have expected him to be steering a nation to a winning start in the World Cup this summer.

"You never know, that's the truth," said Potter after the 5-1 win. "You never know how things are going to go. We were optimistic because we felt confident in the work.

"But until the game is played you don't know for sure. That's the beauty of sport. We are delighted with how we performed tonight and it's a great start for us."

The five goals they scored against Tunisia was more than the four they scored in the entire group stage of their qualifying campaign - largely overseen by Potter's predecessor Jon Dahl Tomasson.