what to remember from the Tunisia-France match (1-0)

THE ESSENTIALS OF THE MATCH

France, reigning world champions and already qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup before the match, finished first in their group despite losing 1-0 to Tunisia on Wednesday. In the other match of Group D, Australia snatched the second ticket for the 1/8 by beating Denmark, by the same score (1-0). The two teams will face the two qualifiers from Group C on Saturday and Sunday. Saudi Arabia and Mexico on the one hand, Argentina with Lionel Messi and Poland with Robert Lewandowski on the other places in the round of 16. The outgoing world champions thought they had snatched the equalizer from a cross volley from Antoine Griezmann in the dying seconds (90 + 8), but the goal was canceled for offside after recourse to the VAR.

The point at the end of the match: IT’S OVER! The Blues lost 1-0 against Tunisia but still finished top of their group. Antoine Griezmann was denied a goal at the very end of the game due to an offside position.

The point at the 90th minute : The France team pushes but Dahmen reassures his people. The fourth referee announces eight minutes of added time. The Blues are still at the top of their group despite this looming defeat. Recall that Tunisia scored on its shot on target in the second period, in two attempts.

The point at the 85th minute : Even if the Blues took the ball on their own (67% of possession) and are more and more insistent on the goal of Dahmen, they still do not manage to find the way to the nets. Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé also entered the game to try to equalise.

The point at the 80th minute : France has still not shot since returning from the locker room, a worrying statistic! Despite the return of the star of the Blues Kylian Mbappé, the players of Didier Deschamps continue to come up against the Tunisian block perfectly in place. Despite this provisional victory, the Carthage Eagles remain eliminated from the competition because at the same time Australia beat Denmark (1-0).

The point at the 75th : the match took on intensity, with a French team which had to react and an opponent who was still unleashed and carried by his public. Remember that the supporters of Tunisia came in large numbers to attend this match and that the Marseillaise was partially whistled during the pre-match.

The point at the 70th minute: The Blues do not manage to be dangerous in the last 30 meters like an acceleration of Tchouaméni immediately anticipated by Jebali, who recovers the leather. Coman, Veretout and Veretout were replaced by Mbappé, Rabiot and Saliba for the end of the match.

The point in the 57th: the GOAL of Tunisia…. The Carthage Eagles striker Wahib Khazri is running a good race. On a loss of ball from Fofana at the level of the central circle, the Montpellier player pierces the full axis tricolor defense and adjusts Mandanda from the left, 1-0!

The point at the 50th minute: The second act started again on the same configuration as that of the first period, namely Tunisian players and offensive players who put the cornered Blues in difficulty and who are unable to find each other.

The point at the start of the second half: Here we go again at Education Stadium! The Blues kick off. Didier Deschamps is not making any changes for the moment. Tunisia also remain with their starting XI.

Half-time point : After two minutes of additional time, the referee of the meeting whistles the half-time and puts an end to this disappointing first half of the Blues. Dominated in many areas of the game, the France team is suffocated by a valiant Tunisian team. France will have to show a completely different face when they return from the locker room if they want to win a third victory in as many matches in these group stages of the 2022 World Cup.

The point at the 40th minute: The Blues are still suffering. Even if they have possession of the ball (54%), Didier Deschamps’ men do not succeed and it is the Tunisians who get the best chances like Wahib Kazri who, from 30 meters, has landed a powerful strike that was repelled by the fists of Steve Mandanda.

The point at the 30th minute: Kingsley Coman takes France’s first shot. On a well-conducted counter-attack, the tricolor striker eccentricizes but does not manage to find the frame. The Blues gradually regain the ball but still can’t put the ball down and build properly.

The point at the 20th minute: the France team still cannot find the solution against well-aligned Tunisians. The Blues have still not struck on Dahmen’s goal. In the other match of the group, Australia and Denmark are also held in check (0-0) in the 20th minute. France and Australia are therefore provisionally in the round of 16

The point at the 10th minute: the Blues are jostled at the start of the match. The Tunisians put their foot on the ball and manage to create some frank incursions into the defense of the France team.

The point at the 8th minute: Tunisia believes to score from a free kick…but it’s ultimately an offside! It was Ghandri who pushed the ball into the back of the net. First warning for the Blues at the start of the match…

The point at kick-off: It’s off between Tunisia and France! The Blues play in their traditional jersey, the Tunisians are in white. The kick off is given by New Zealand referee Matthew Conger. It is Wahib Kazri who launches the match!

Jacques Vendroux, Jean-François Pérès and Cyril de La Morinerie will make you live this last group match of the French team live on Europe 1. A debrief of the match will follow directly at the final whistle in Europe 1 Sport.

@Europe1 live from the City Education Stadium for #TUNFRA 3rd match of the blues in this @fifaworldcup_en ! @ced_hunter@JacquesVendroux@jfperes@lionelrossopic.twitter.com/YJN9ETl2ui

— Cyrille de La Morinerie (@Morinerie) November 30, 2022

Steve Mandanda Surprise

It’s the chef’s little surprise before Tunisia-France kicks off! Steve Mandanda is aligned by Didier Deschamps and therefore replaces Hugo Lloris who will thus be able to breathe during this meeting. The Rennes goalkeeper also becomes the oldest player to play in the tricolor jersey (37 years and 247 days). He dethroned Bernard Lama.

37 – Steve Mandanda will become, at 37 years and 247 days, the oldest player in history to play for the France team. He thus dethroned Bernard Lama (37 years and 148 days in September 2000 against England). Stainless. #TUNFRApic.twitter.com/otgvyeKGxb

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 30, 2022

Tunisia’s tactics

The Carthage Eagles opt for a 3-4-2-1 with Aymen Dahmen as the last bastion. In front of him, Nader Ghandri, Yassine Meriah and Montassar Talbi make up the defense while Wajdi Kechrida and Ali Maâloul will play the roles of pistons. The double pivot is provided by Ellyes Skhiri and Aïssa Laïdouni. Alone at the forefront, Wahbi Khazri is supported by Anis Ben Slimane and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane.

Mbappé and Griezmann on the bench

For this third match without stake for the France team, Didier Deschamps rotates and decides to rest his attacking executives, Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann. The two players will therefore start the match on the bench, while their presence was expected despite a high turnover.

In total, nine changes are made by the coach of the Blues, according to the compositions revealed by Fifa. Only Aurélien Tchouaméni and Raphaël Varane, captain of the day, are renewed for this match of the third and last day of the group stage, Didier Deschamps having decided to offer playing time to many substitutes like Steve Mandanda, Kingsley Coman and Eduardo Camavinga.

The starting line-up for our last group match

– at 4 p.m. on TF1 #TUNFRA | #ProudToBeBluespic.twitter.com/G0R8ZVdr9N

— French team ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) November 30, 2022

Tunisia, back to the wall

Very solid to hold Denmark in check during their entry into the running (0-0), Tunisia then disappointed by losing 1-0 against Australia. With only one point on the clock, the Carthage Eagles are on the verge of elimination and absolutely must win with at least a two-goal difference this Wednesday against the Blues. But that might not be enough since in case of Australian victory over Denmark, Tunisia will be eliminated no matter what.

France already qualified for the eighth

The Blues approach this match calmly, and for good reason: the men of Didier Deschamps have already qualified for the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup thanks to their two initial victories, against Australia (4-1) and Denmark (2-1). With six points, Kylian Mbappé and his partners lead Group D, ahead of Australia (three points), Denmark and Tunisia (one point each).

Also, the French team is 99% certain to finish in first place in the group, ideal to avoid a big gun from the round of 16. Indeed, in addition to their two victories, the Blues have a significant goal difference of +4 (six goals scored, two conceded) which put them almost to safety. The disaster scenario would consist of a wide victory for Australia against Denmark (who are playing at the same time) with a loose score, for example 4-0, and a defeat for France against Tunisia with a score of 3- 0. A very unlikely scenario given the profile of the teams.