In a rather inconsequential game France made as much as nine changes to their original line up, with Coach Deschamps peering deep into his reserve bench. However, it was minnows Tunisia who came out with super alacrity & intent. Wahbi Khazri whipped in from a corner that had the French keeper unsettled. Within seven minutes Nader Ghandri put the ball in the net for Tunisia, but the goal was disallowed for offside. French slowly came out of their slumber as Kingsley Coman hit wide. First half ended goalless, with Tunisia having the better of the exchanges.
Into the 2nd half, Tunisia were on ascendency again & had a penalty claim ruled out, as Camavinga challenged Khazri from behind & was lucky to get away. Around the hour mark, finally Tunisia broke the deadlock, as Khazri finally netted one of the best individual goal of this tournament, dinking past two defenders as he ran into the box & slotting past the keeper, to make the score 1-0. France brought back Greizmann, Mbappe, Dembele, Rabiot into the game to create a difference, but Tunisia held on firmly. In the injury time, Greizmann latched onto a loose ball from a Tchouameni cross, & slammed the ball into the net, but after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed, as Griezmann was clearly standing offside. Tunisia finally prevailed 1-0, to go back with their head held high, taking a big win against reigning champions under their belt.
France had already qualified for the knockout stages, but will rue this loss, as it creates doubt in the mind, & mind games are always dangerous. Hopefully, they will regroup in the break
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