Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri celebrates scoring the only goal of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match against France with teammates at the Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar, on November 30, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Veteran Wahbi Khazri scored the lone goal as Tunisia beat France to secure a famous victory but failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
A dramatic VAR intervention ruled out Antoine Griezmann’s equaliser in added time for offside in a thrilling high-tempo game from start to finish.
Australia’s win over Denmark ensured they qualified behind France in Group D, leaving Tunisia third and Denmark with just one point. The North Africans needed the Aussies to lose against Denmark to have a chance to qualify.
Despite claiming their third victory in 18 World Cup matches, Tunisia keep their unwanted record of not progressing from the group stage in six World Cup appearances.
“We showed good things with the ball, were consistent, and were also solid defensively. We had a real team performance. Then there is the disappointment of not qualifying with four points.
“We can only blame ourselves because we didn’t do the right thing in the first two matches. It leaves a bitter taste. But I think the Tunisian people are proud of us,” Khazri said after the match.
Tunisia began the game with high intensity against a French side with nine changes. The intensity almost paid off within 10 minutes into the match as Nader Ghandri stabbed in from close from a Khazri set piece. The goal was rightfully ruled out for offside as Ghandri had made his run just a fraction early.
Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri also made some changes to the starting line-up, with Khazri getting the nod, while Issam Jebali came on as a second-half substitute.
Didier Deschamps’ changes saw Kylian Mbappe, Griezmann, Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud and Osmane Dembele on the bench. Eduardo Camavinga played at left back, as speculated.
France had few chances in the first half, but a Youssouf Fofana run almost set up Kingsley Coman, but the Bayern Munich star was let down by his first touch as his follow-up effort went harmlessly wide.
French goalkeeper, making his first start in Qatar Steve Mandanda, was called to action as he easily picked up Ben Slimane’s tame header before Camavinga had to make an important clearance with Ghandri lurking.
Australia’s persistent attack opened some space for Khazri, and the Montpellier man unleashed a fierce drive that Mandanda had to push away before half-time.
Tunisia began the second half with the same spirit as the first, with chances for Khazri and Aissa Laidouni blazed high from a tight angle despite having better options in the box.
However, Tunisia’s pressure soon paid off as the French-born Khazri put the Carthage Eagles ahead just before the hour mark. The forward picked the ball in the midfield, went on a dazzling run before poking the ball on a stretch past Mandanda.
The goal brought the packed Education City Stadium to life as Tunisian fans urged their team on.
France struggled to create chances until Deschamps introduced Mbappe, Dembele and Griezmann, and the defending champion gradually found spaces as Dembele tested Dahmen, who easily gathered.
Mbappe almost equalised for Les Bleus, but Dahmen punched out after the French forward had easily brushed off Meriah with some silky skill.
It was all France at this point as Kolo Nuani forced a corner after a deflected effort whizzed narrowly wide after a swift exchange of passes between Mbappe and Griezmann.
Mbappe again almost caught Dahmen napping, but the Tunisian goalkeeper did just enough to push out to safety.
There was some time for late drama as Griezmann thought he had snatched the famous win from the North Africans in added time. Montassar Talbi’s attempt to head the ball clear fell kindly for the forward, who volleyed home from close range, but the goal was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check.
“It’s a shame, but it’s like that,” Griezmann said of the goal.
“It’s complicated to play these matches when you’ve qualified; it’s very difficult with the changes. You have no benchmarks, and some were playing their first World Cup match. They gave their all. We have qualified, and the most important thing is Sunday’s match,” he added.
