In the end, France prevailed in Group D with six points ahead of Australia (six), Tunisia (four) and Denmark (1). France meets the runners-up in Group C in the round of 16 on Sunday (4:00 p.m.), Australia meets the winner of this pool on Saturday.
Tunisia, who also missed out on the knockout stage in their sixth World Cup appearance, will have to wait, which is particularly bitter after beating the world champions. The North Africans celebrated a well-deserved victory thanks to a goal from Wahbi Khazri (58th) against a newly formed team from nine positions from France, who completely disappointed. Only in the finish did they come up with the substitute stars, a goal by Antoine Griezmann did not count because of offside (98th).
Late Griezmann goal doesn’t count (90+8 minutes)
Antoine Griezmann netted in added time, but came from an offside position. After a VAR check, the referee decides on offside.
France rotates through
The world champions had already been confirmed as promoted, and team boss Didier Deschamps rotated through: Only two players remained the same compared to the 2-1 win against Denmark: defender Raphael Varane and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
But Tunisia boss Jalal Kadri also changed his starting XI from the disappointing 1-0 draw against Australia and brought in six new players from the start. At the same time, the offensive was completely replaced, which was not entirely surprising, since Tunisia had not scored a goal in the tournament after their first two games.
Tunisia misses dream start
In view of the change, Tunisia sensed their chance and immediately went to work aggressively. The underdog put the French B-Eleven under pressure and had a good chance early on, and even more so a goal. Nader Ghandri headed a free-kick from Wahbi Khazri into the corner – but the defender was ruled offside (8′).
Tunisia offside goal (8th minute)
Ghandri scores from an offside position.
Tunisia set the tone for the time being, but without finding another good chance. After that, the newly assembled team from France got into the game better. The “Equipe tricolore” also had their first opportunity in the 25th minute, but Kingsley Coman clearly missed a pass from Youssouf Fofana (25th), after the Bayern player also took the ball badly with him.
Otherwise, the French did what was necessary and mainly defended in the centre. Only a few shots found their way to the box, such as a weak header from Anis Ben Slimane (30th). Khazri then tried from a distance, the shot was blocked by substitute goalie Steve Mandanda, but the defense cleared it (35′). It remained 0-0 at the break, which was not enough for Tunisia for the time being.
Khazri scores for the deserved lead
After the break, the game didn’t change at first, Tunisia followed suit and had further chances against the not always stable French. Aissa Laidouni shot from a tight angle in the penalty area, lying on her back the play equipment clearly missed the goal (52′).
Six minutes later, however, the time had come: Fofana lost the ball in midfield, then Khazri came on and he finished off four French players. The striker just tipped the ball past goalie Mandanda for a deserved lead (58′).
France coach Deschamps reacted and brought his superstar with Kylian Mbappe. The Paris Saint-Germain striker, son of an Algerian mother and a Cameroonian father, was hissed at every touch of the ball by the many Tunisian fans in the stadium. On the other hand, another speedster who made it onto the field was celebrated.
France goal does not count in the end
The French remained pale for the time being, and that didn’t change all of a sudden even after Antoine Griezmann was brought on board. Tunisia focused on defence, and that was enough against the French who were weak for a long time that night. Towards the end there were still efforts and shots by Rabiot (85′), Mbappe (89′, 93′) and Randal Kolo Muani (90′), in the end the ball was in the goal, but a Griezmann goal was scored withdrawn after video viewing.
FIFA World Cup 2022, Group D, Third Matchday
Wednesday:
Tunisia 1-0 France (0-0)
Doha, Education City Stadium, 43,627 Zuschauer, SR Conger (NZL)
Tor: Khazri (58.)
Tunisia: Dahmen – Meriah, Ghandri, Talbi – Kechrida, Skhiri, Laidouni, Maaloul – Slimane (83./Abdi), Romdhane (74./Chaalali) – Khazri (59./Jebali)
France: Mandanda – Disasi, Varane (63./Saliba), Konate, Camavinga – Fofana (73./Griezmann), Veretout (63./Rabiot), Tchouameni, Guendouzi (79./Dembele) – Coman (63./Mbappe), Stop it
Yellow cards: Kechrida or none