Tunisia 1-0 France: Heartbreak for Tunisia despite shock victory

Tunisia crashed out of the World Cup despite their 1-0 victory against World Champions France at the Education City Stadium.

Australia’s victory over Denmark mean it is the Socceroos who join the French in the last 16, despite the Eagles of Carthage picking up their first World Cup win against European opposition.

Wahbi Khazri’s second half strike was enough to condemn a much-changed French team to defeat, ending a six game winning run in the World Cup.

France looked every part a team who had made nine changes coming into this game. There was a distinct lack in the fluidity that had served Les Blues so well in Russia four years ago, and in their first two group games this tournament.

The importance of the occasion was not lost on Tunisia, who started on the front foot.

For all Tunisia’s positivity at the start of the game, it appeared they were constantly aware that France’s quality could prevail at any moment, despite this being a second string side.

Kingsley Coman, whose trophy cabinet is seemingly in need of constant extension, exemplified this. He skilfully worked his way into the box before dragging his shot just wide.

It seemed that this game was going to slip away from Tunisia’s grasp. 30 minutes in, an inviting cross from Ali Maaloul begged for someone to connect, but to no avail.

Just a few minutes later, Khazri was unable to find the hands of Steve Mandanda with a hopeful outside the box strike.

Half-time came and went, with Ibrahima Konate’s mind still focused on the orange slices when Aissa Laidouni muscled the ball off him in the penalty area. However, Tunisia’s best chance of the game went begging just wide of the post.

Just a few minutes later, Tunisia’s attacking risk paid off. Who else but Khazri danced his way through an idle French defence, before coolly finding the back of the net. Nothing less than the former Sunderland man deserved for his performance.

However, qualification was never truly in the hands of the Tunisians. Their fans, who cheered every throw-in, tackle, and corner like they had qualified, were unusually silenced when news of an Australian goal travelled round the ground.

Their 1-0 lead would not be enough if the Socceroos held on.

France did improve as the second half wore on, with Tunisia defending admirably.

Griezmann thought he had equalised with the last kick of the game, breaking Tunisian hearts for the second time in as many seconds as it was confirmed Australia had held on for victory.

The final whistle blew before a VAR check ruled for an offside in the build-up to the goal. The reaction to the second final kick of the game was the complete opposition to the first. Tunisia were out, but had defeated the World Champions in the process.

Not much can be read into this from a French perspective, but Didier Deschamps will have learnt a thing or two about the depth of his squad.

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