QATAR. —France had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the final minute of stoppage-time as Tunisia held on to register a 1-0 shock victory yesterday.
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.
“It’s mixed feelings because we’re happy to beat a team like France,” said Tunisia manager Jalel Kadri.
“We can be proud and leave with our head high, but it is a bitter victory.
“It would have been beautiful to beat France and reach the last 16. It is our fault for not doing what we needed to do before.”
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 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.
“I said nothing is impossible. We have been able to win over the world champions,” added Kadri.
“We have been able to prove our efficiency and we did our best. We worked as a team. It wasn’t easy for us to get these four points (in the group stage) but we leave with a lot of honour and pride.”
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.
Meanwhile, Australia reached the knock-out stage of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years after shocking Denmark 0-1.
The Danes, needing victory to progress, dominated possession but were caught out on the break when Australia scored the winner on the hour mark.
Denmark lost the ball in the Australian box and Mathew Leckie finished a brilliant counter attack with a low shot past Kasper Schmeichel.
Australia finish in second place in Group D on six points, only behind world champions France on goal difference.
Denmark meanwhile exit Qatar 2022 in disappointing fashion, with just one point from three games, sitting bottom of the group.
Australia will now play the winners of Group C — with Poland, Argentina and Saudi Arabia all in with a chance of topping the table — on Saturday (19:00 GMT
Denmark came into the World Cup tipped by many fans and pundits as ‘dark horses’ after their impressive run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and a strong Uefa Nations League campaign in which they beat France home and away.
However, they failed to impress in Qatar and go home having scored only once in three Group D games.
Their attacking struggles were acknowledged by manager Kasper Hjulmand who made three changes from the defeat to France, all in attacking positions.
Martin Braithwaite, Brentford midfielder Mathias Jensen and Andreas Skov Olsen came in as Mikkel Damsgaard, Victor Nelsson and striker Andreas Cornelius dropped to the bench — but the changes made little difference.
The Danes’ best chance came through Jensen in the first half, who forced Australia captain Mat Ryan into an impressive acrobatic save after being played through by a Braithwaite flick.
However, it was telling that Denmark’s most threatening attacking outlet was left-back Joakim Maehle, who tested Australia with his probing runs but was not adequately supported by those further forward.
They demanded a penalty in the second half when Kasper Dolberg was hauled down in the area, however he was narrowly offside as the Danish campaign petered out.
Denmark continue their longest win-less World Cup run, having failed to earn a victory in any of their past six games in the competition, with four of them draws.
Australia, the lowest seeded side in Group D, ran the game at their tempo and the largely uneventful encounter suited their needs perfectly, with a draw potentially enough to see them through having started the day second in the group on three points.
However just as the news of Tunisia taking a shock lead against France filtered through, which would have eliminated them on goal difference had they drawn here, Leckie sprang into action.
Dolberg lost the ball in the Australian box and his side was caught out on the break. Melbourne City winger Leckie ran confidently at the Danish defence, and struck left footed through Maehle’s legs past Schmeichel inside the far post. It ensured they reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 2006, when a star-studded side featuring Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer were only stopped by eventual champions Italy.
This team features far fewer big names but marshalled by captain and former Brighton and Arsenal goalkeeper Ryan, they have recovered from a 4-1 loss to France in their opening game — where they were naively open and picked apart by Kylian Mbappe and co — to grind out the results required.
It was Ryan who guided Australia through the nervy final six minutes of added time, claiming corners with aplomb.
A Cornelius header looped onto the roof of the net in stoppage time but a historic victory was secured. — BBCSport
