Africa-Press – Ghana. France had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the final minute of stoppage-time as Tunisia held on to register a shock victory. However, despite victory they failed to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup.
Substitute Antoine Griezmann volleyed in a dramatic equaliser at the Education City Stadium, but the VAR decision meant Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi’s brilliant first-half goal proved to be the winner.
However, with Australia recording a 1-0 victory over Denmark in the other match in Group D, Tunisia’s hopes of progressing had been dashed before Griezmann’s goal was ruled out. France are through to the last 16 as group winners having already secured qualification with victory over Denmark in the last game.
Despite their failure to progress, Tunisia captain Khazi produced the moment fans had been waiting for – a goal at this World Cup – when he drove to the edge of the box and coolly rolled it into the bottom right corner.
There was an outpouring of emotion from a large following of Tunisia fans at the stadium, while Tunisian substitutes sprinted onto the pitch in a moment of pure elation.
But their celebrations were shortlived when news of Australia’s lead began to ripple through the stadium, with supporters checking their phones for updates from the other match in Group D.
France, who were much-changed from their 2-1 win over Denmark having already qualified as group winners, lacked quality in a disappointing performance.
Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid’s Griezmann were brought on later in the second half to try and find a way back into the game.
They had an impact despite loud jeers and whistling from Tunisia fans keen to put them off and Griezmann almost provided the goal they craved. Didier Deschamps’ side are set to face the runner-up of Group C, currently Argentina, in the last 16 on Sunday, 4 December.
Tunisia’s wait to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time continues as they exit the competition. Tunisia have never progressed to the knockout stages of the World CupDramatic evening as Tunisia hopes dashed
Tunisia knew they needed to win the game to stand any chance of progressing and they started with plenty of intent. Goalscorer Khazri was a threat, while France defender Eduardo Camavinga was often overloaded out wide and needed support from Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
The support for Tunisia far outweighed France and that majority were given a brief outpouring of celebration when Nader Ghandri’s volley flew past goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, only to be ruled out for offside.
As the first half wore on, Tunisia fans’ impatience started to show – though their support remained relentless – as chance after chance came, but goalkeeper Mandanda did not look like conceding.
Then a magical moment from Khazri opened up space for himself on the edge of the box and his low, precise strike beat Mandanga in the bottom corner. Tunisia fans were full of hope – they were heading into the last 16 as things stood – but two minutes later, Australia’s goal meant it was taken out of their hands.
Deschamps did not waste too much time in the second half to bring on Mbappe and Griezmann and from then on, France were on the front foot. Tunisia clung on following a series of corners late on, but Griezmann eventually found the back of the net via a deflection.
However, France’s celebrations quickly turned to frustration when the referee went to the pitchside monitor to view VAR and the goal was ruled out. Player of the match
Ben SlimaneAnis Ben Slimane with an average of 8.89 TunisiaTunisiaTunisiaFranceFranceFrance TunisiaAvgSquad number25Player nameBen SlimaneAverage rating
8.89 Squad number10Player nameKhazriAverage rating 8.83
Squad number14Player nameLaïdouniAverage rating 8.72 Squad number21Player nameKechridaAverage rating 8.40 Squad number15Player nameBen RomdhaneAverage rating
8.39 Squad number18Player nameChaalaliAverage rating 8.27
Squad number24Player nameAbdiAverage rating 8.21 Squad number12Player nameMaâloulAverage rating 8.12 Squad number3Player nameTalbiAverage rating 8.10
Squad number17Player nameSkhiriAverage rating 8.02 Squad number5Player nameGhandriAverage rating 7.95 Squad number4Player nameMeriahAverage rating 7.86
Squad number9Player nameJebaliAverage rating 7.72 Squad number16Player nameDahmenAverage rating 7.52 FranceAvgSquad number17Player nameSalibaAverage rating
5.79 Squad number7Player nameGriezmannAverage rating 5.10
Squad number10Player nameMbappéAverage rating 4.88 Squad number24Player nameKonatéAverage rating 4.83 Squad number11Player nameDembéléAverage rating
4.82 Squad number14Player nameRabiotAverage rating 4.70
Squad number8Player nameTchouaméniAverage rating 4.38 Squad number25Player nameCamavingaAverage rating 4.12 Squad number4Player nameVaraneAverage rating
4.02 Squad number20Player nameComanAverage rating 4.00
Squad number3Player nameDisasiAverage rating 3.85 Squad number13Player nameFofanaAverage rating 3.80 Squad number12Player nameKolo MuaniAverage rating
3.71 Squad number16Player nameMandandaAverage rating 3.66
Squad number15Player nameVeretoutAverage rating 3.54 Squad number6Player nameGuendouziAverage rating 3.44 Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text Line-upsTunisia Formation 3-4-2-1 16Dahmen4Meriah5Ghandri3Talbi21Kechrida17Skhiri14Laïdouni12Maâloul25Ben Slimane15Ben Romdhane10Khazri
16Dahmen4Meriah5Ghandri3Talbi21KechridaBooked at 28mins17Skhiri14Laïdouni12Maâloul25Ben SlimaneSubstituted forAbdiat 83’minutes15Ben RomdhaneSubstituted forChaalaliat 74’minutes10KhazriSubstituted forJebaliat 59’minutes
Substitutes 1Mathlouthi2Ifa6Bronn7Msakni8Mejbri9Jebali11Khenissi13Sassi18Chaalali19Jaziri20Dräger22Ben Saïd23Sliti24Abdi26Hassen France Formation 4-3-3
16Mandanda3Disasi4Varane24Konaté25Camavinga13Fofana8Tchouaméni15Veretout20Coman12Kolo Muani6Guendouzi
16Mandanda3Disasi4VaraneSubstituted forSalibaat 63’minutes24Konaté25Camavinga13FofanaSubstituted forGriezmannat 73’minutes8Tchouaméni15VeretoutSubstituted forRabiotat 63’minutes20ComanSubstituted forMbappéat 63’minutes12Kolo Muani6GuendouziSubstituted forDembéléat 79’minutes
Substitutes 1Lloris2Pavard5Koundé7Griezmann9Giroud10Mbappé11Dembélé14Rabiot17Saliba18Upamecano22Hernández23Aréola26Thuram Referee:Matthew CongerAttendance:43,627Match StatsHome TeamTunisiaAway TeamFrancePossessionHome34%Away66%ShotsHome5Away10Shots on TargetHome3Away3CornersHome7Away8FoulsHome14Away6Live Text Post update
Match ends, Tunisia 1, France 0. 90’+13’Full Time Second Half ends, Tunisia 1, France 0. 90’+10’Post update VAR Decision: No Goal Tunisia 1-0 France. 90’+8’Post update
GOAL OVERTURNED BY VAR: Antoine Griezmann (France) scores but the goal is ruled out after a VAR review. 90’+8’Post update Offside, France. Aurélien Tchouaméni tries a through ball, but Antoine Griezmann is caught offside.
90’+6’Post update Corner, France. Conceded by Yassine Meriah. 90’+4’Post update
Eduardo Camavinga (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90’+4’Post update Foul by Issam Jebali (Tunisia). 90’+4’Post update Corner, France. Conceded by Wajdi Kechrida.
90’+3’Post update Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from long range on the left is saved in the bottom right corner. 90’+3’Post update
Attempt blocked. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 90’+2’Post update Kylian Mbappé (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90’+2’Post update Foul by Ghaylen Chaalali (Tunisia). 90’Post update Corner, France. Conceded by Nader Ghandri. 90’Post update Attempt blocked. Randal Kolo Muani (France) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann. 89’Post update
Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Eduardo Camavinga.
86’Post update Ibrahima Konaté (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 86’Post update Foul by Issam Jebali (Tunisia). 85’Post update
Attempt missed. Adrien Rabiot (France) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ousmane Dembélé with a cross.
83’Substitution Substitution, Tunisia. Ali Abdi replaces Anis Ben Slimane.
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