FIFA World Cup: Second-string France side shocked by Tunisia
Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal for Tunisia as they beat world champions France, who made nine changes to their starting lineup for their final Group D game.
Didier Deschamps rotation and rest policyDidier Deschamps changed nearly his entire team for their last Group D game at Education City Stadium after Les Bleus became the first team at the World Cup to reach the last 16 in their previous match, a 2-1 win over Denmark.
France still had enough quality on the field to stand a strong chance of victory, but Wahbi Khazri's moment of magic secured a famous 1-0 victory for Tunisia. This is their first win in a World Cup against a European opponent after 11 attempts in the past.
Wednesday's result will live long in the memory, but Mathew Leckie's 60th-minute winner for Australia against Denmark dealt a knockout blow to Jalel Kadri's side and ensured the Socceroos progressed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">QUALIFICATION !!! 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷<a href="https://twitter.com/equipedefrance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@equipedefrance</a> <a href="https://t.co/uI3NX5cono">pic.twitter.com/uI3NX5cono</a></p>— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) <a href="https://twitter.com/KMbappe/status/1596580440101748741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Antoine Griezmann looked to have struck another low blow with his stoppage-time equaliser, but the goal was disallowed for offside after VAR intervened.
The magnificent Tunisian fans thanked their players after the match in Al Rayyan, where France emerged at the top of Group D despite the surprising defeat on Wednesday.
The North African team went into this game more hopeful than expectant, but after eight minutes, they began to believe.
Nader Ghandri met Khazri's free-kick and put the ball in the net only to see the goal disallowed for offside, but that moment seemed to give Tunisia and their fans hope.
France had a lot of quality on the pitch but lacked the final spark. Kingsley Coman missed the target at the end of one of the rare fluid moves.
Tunisia continued to be the more significant threat. An Anis Slimane header was blocked before Steve Mandanda failed to parry a Khazri effort convincingly, but France were able to clear their lines.
Tunisia kept up the pressure and Aissa Laidouni fired over from an acute angle before providing the assist for the goal Khazri scored in the 58th minute.
After Tunisia won the ball in the middle of the park, Laidouni unleashed captain Khazri with a pass, sending him off on a marauding run.
He first held off the attentions of Youssouf Fofana before rounding Raphael Varane and firing the ball low into the bottom corner before Axel Disasi could bring him down.
It was an incredible moment and Khazri's last action of the evening as he was immediately substituted.
The volume in the stadium soon dropped as Tunisian fans heard that Australia had taken the lead and then saw star Kylian Mbappe come on for France from the bench.
He was followed by Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele.
Substitute Adrien Rabiot volleyed wide, and Mbappe tried his luck from an acute angle before Kolo Muani shot just wide.
Tunisia's substitutes huddled around a phone in stoppage time, hoping for positive news from Australia's match against Denmark, but there was no late drama in this game.
There was, however, a twist in Al Rayyan.
Griezmann struck the ball with a volley that was deflected into the net as France looked to secure a late draw.
The final whistle sounded, but the VAR advised a review of the play, and it was ruled offside, leaving Tunisia high and dry for a historic upset win.