A stunning Wahbi Khazri strike was enough to give Tunisia a 1-0 win over France in 2022 FIFA World Cup group D match played at Education City Stadium in Qatar on Wednesday afternoon, but the Carthage Eagles fell out of the competition after finishing third on the log.
France dominated the match from the start in search for an early goal and this forced the Carthage Eagles to defend in numbers.
However, it was Tunisia who got first shot on target just 18 minutes into the game after Jordan Veretout over-hit his pass to Ibrahima Kanote in the midfield and Anis Slamane stole the ball.
The lanky forward out-sprinted the France defence, before firing his shot over the ball with the Les Blues goalkeeper Steve Mandanda well beaten.
France applied some pressure on the Tunisia defence and nearly found the back of the net through Youssouf Fofana in the 29th minute.
The defender dribbled past two Carthage Eagles defenders after receiving a delightful pass from Kolo Muani only for his shot to sail over the crossbar.
Tunisia came close to scoring again just after half hour mark when a corner fell to the feet of Ali Maaloul just inside the box, but his stringing shot deflected inches wide the post.
Neither side could find an opening goal before the halftime break.
France had a bright start in the second stanza as Kolo Muani came close in finding the breakthrough with a strike across the goal that was wonderfully saved by Aymen Dahmen after a through ball by Veretout.
The Les Blue were finding spaces and chances in the final third but were wasteful in the box, which prompted coach Didier Deschamps to start preparing for new substitutions.
However, Tunisia took the lead in the 58th minute following a solo run from Khazri which saw him beat a couple of defenders on his way into the area before firing home from 16-yards out,1-0
France nearly drew level in the 78th minute when Mbappe let fry from long distance, but his thunderous effort was saved by the Tunisia goalkeeper.
In the 83rd minute,, Ben Roumdhane though he had extended the Carthage Eagles lead when he shot inside the box, beat the keeper but his effort was cleared by a Tunisia defender.
France threw players forward and they thought they have found a last minute equalizer courtesy of Grierzmann but he was adjudged to have been offside following a VAR review.
How they lined-up:
Tunisia: A. Dahmen, A. Maâloul, Y. Meriah, W. Kechrida, M. Talbi, E. Skhiri, N. Ghandri, A. Laïdouni, M. Ben Romdhane (G. Chaaleli 74), A. Ben Slimane (A. Abde 83), W. Khazri (I.Jebali 60)
France: S. Mandanda, R. Varane (Saliba 63), A. Disasi, I. Konaté, J. Veretout (Rabiot 63), M. Guendouzi (O.Dembele 79), A. Tchouaméni, Y. Fofana (Griezmann 73), E. Camavinga, K. Coman (Mbappe 63), R. Kolo Muani
