Panama, Tunisia in battle for third place finish in Group G

: Panama and Tunisia have been the fall-guys in the two top-scoring matches of World Cup, but both teams will hope to show they have learnt some lessons from their efforts in Russia before they head home after their Group G match on Thursday.

Tunisia, ranked 21st and representing the Arab world as well as Africa, are probably more anxious to salvage some pride from the campaign. Panama, making their debut in the tournament, at times have seemed happy enough just to be here.

This will be the first time the two nations have faced each other and a robust game can be expected, with both sides prone to

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indulge in wrestling bouts in defence. The North Africans played well enough in their opening game against a stuttering England, going down 2-1 to a late Harry Kane goal, but they then got thumped 5-2 by a rampant Belgium.

Making their fifth appearance, Tunisia have yet to get beyond the group stage, but securing third place in the group would be a shred of compensation.

After the Belgium match, Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul said Arab soccer still had a lot of catching up to do to present a challenge at the highest level. Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Egypt all failed to move to the next stage.

Coming from a continent that boasts powerhouses Brazil and Argentina and from a country where baseball is the most popular sport, “los Canaleros” (Canalmen) of Panama always had more modest ambitions.

Overwhelmed in their first match 3-0 by Belgium then 6-1 to an England team hitting its stride in Nizhny Novgorod, their celebrations when Felipe Baloy scored against England might have given the impression they had won the game.

SARANSK