Tunisia 1-0 France: Tunisia upset France but fail to qualify

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 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.

Dramatic 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

Tunisia

Squad number25Player nameBen Slimane

Squad number10Player nameKhazri

Squad number14Player nameLaïdouni

Squad number21Player nameKechrida

Squad number15Player nameBen Romdhane

Squad number18Player nameChaalali

Squad number24Player nameAbdi

Squad number12Player nameMaâloul

Squad number3Player nameTalbi

Squad number17Player nameSkhiri

Squad number5Player nameGhandri

Squad number4Player nameMeriah

Squad number9Player nameJebali

Squad number16Player nameDahmen

France

Squad number17Player nameSaliba

Squad number7Player nameGriezmann

Squad number10Player nameMbappé

Squad number24Player nameKonaté

Squad number11Player nameDembélé

Squad number14Player nameRabiot

Squad number8Player nameTchouaméni

Squad number25Player nameCamavinga

Squad number4Player nameVarane

Squad number20Player nameComan

Squad number3Player nameDisasi

Squad number13Player nameFofana

Squad number12Player nameKolo Muani

Squad number16Player nameMandanda

Squad number15Player nameVeretout

Squad number6Player nameGuendouzi

Line-ups

Tunisia

Formation 3-4-2-1

16Dahmen

4Meriah5Ghandri3Talbi

21Kechrida17Skhiri14Laïdouni12Maâloul

25Ben Slimane15Ben Romdhane

10Khazri

Substitutes

France

Formation 4-3-3

16Mandanda

3Disasi4Varane24Konaté25Camavinga

13Fofana8Tchouaméni15Veretout

20Coman12Kolo Muani6Guendouzi

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Tunisia 1, France 0.

Second Half ends, Tunisia 1, France 0.

VAR Decision: No Goal Tunisia 1-0 France.

GOAL OVERTURNED BY VAR: Antoine Griezmann (France) scores but the goal is ruled out after a VAR review.

Offside, France. Aurélien Tchouaméni tries a through ball, but Antoine Griezmann is caught offside.

Corner, France. Conceded by Yassine Meriah.

Eduardo Camavinga (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Issam Jebali (Tunisia).

Corner, France. Conceded by Wajdi Kechrida.

Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from long range on the left is saved in the bottom right corner.

Attempt blocked. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Kylian Mbappé (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Ghaylen Chaalali (Tunisia).

Corner, France. Conceded by Nader Ghandri.

Attempt blocked. Randal Kolo Muani (France) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann.

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.

Ibrahima Konaté (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Issam Jebali (Tunisia).

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.

Substitution, Tunisia. Ali Abdi replaces Anis Ben Slimane.

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