France top group D despite defeat against Tunisia

The hundred percent record of world champion France in the Qatar 2022 World Cup came to an end as they suffered a 1-0 loss against Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Despite the upset, Tunisia failed to qualify as Australia defeated Denmark to finish the group with 6 points behind Les Bleus.

Tunisia, which started the tournament with a draw against Denmark, would blame themselves for falling short against the Socceroos.

Tunisia did the business of getting maximum points at Education City Stadium against Didier Deschamp’s men, but it was not enough to secure the ticket to the knockout stage.

France thought they had canceled out Tunisia’s goal when Substitute Antoine Griezmann volleyed in a dramatic equaliser in the final minute, but VAR ruled it out for offside.

Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi’s brilliant second-half goal proved the winner and their last game at the tournament.

After the game, Tunisia manager Jalal Kadri said it’s mixed feelings because they are happy to beat  France, adding that his lads can be proud of themselves and leave with their heads high.

Describing it as a bitter victory, the manager said it would have been beautiful to beat France and reach the last 16. He admitted that it was their fault for not doing what 5hey needed to do.

France were paying for formality, having already through to the last 16 as group winners courtesy of their victory over Australia and Denmark, respectively, in their previous two games.

 Khazi will also be proud of himself for producing the moment fans had been waiting for – a goal at this World Cup. The skipper drove to the edge of the box and coolly rolled it into the bottom right corner.

Tunisia was celebrating with an outpouring of emotion from a large following of Tunisia fans at the stadium.

As Tunisian substitutes sprinted onto the pitch in a moment of pure joy, their celebrations were shortlived when news of Australia’s lead filtered in, making supporters be checking their phones for updates from the other match in Group D.

Being a much-changed side from their 2-1 win over Denmark, France lacked quality in a disappointing performance.

Although Deschamp later introduced Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid’s Griezmann in the second half to try and find a way back into the game, they couldn’t. Both were impactful when they came in.

France have now booked a date with  Group C runners-up Poland in the last 16 on Sunday, 4 December.

Meanwhile, Tunisia will have to wait another time to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Written by OLADIPUPO MOJEED