Famous win over France in vain for Tunisia

Wahbi Khazri’s superb solo goal gavetunisia a famous win over reigning champions France but Australia’s shock win against Denmark meant they still made a heartbreaking exit.

Didier Deschamps made sweeping alterations for the Group D finale at Education City Stadium after Les Bleus became the first side to seal their place in the round of 16.

France still had the quality to win but ex-sunderland man Khazri’s moment of magic secured Tunisia a 1-0 victory – their first World Cup win against European opponents after 11 previous attempts.

The result will live long in the memory but Mathew Leckie’s strike 14 miles away proved a knockout blow for Jalel Kadri’s side as Australia progressed instead.

Antoine Griezmann looked to have landed another gut punch when equalising deep in stoppage time, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside after the VAR’S intervention.

Afterwards, Khazri said: “We’re very happy tonight because we played a very good match. There is of course some disappointment because we didn’t qualify with four points, but that’s our fault.

“We were hoping for a goal from Denmark but it didn’t happen, but that’s what happens when you depend on others in football.

“It’s a bit bitter, but we are happy to show a good game and make the Tunisian people proud of us tonight.”

France boss Didier Deschamps defended his team selection after making nine changes to the side which had already qualified from Group D with Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele all on the bench.

Deschamps said: “We can’t tick all the boxes. The first objective was the most important and that was to seal our place in the round of 16.

“The 24 players won their first two games and lost the last one, but I need all 24 to be available for me in four days. A couple of them have been able to rest up, they will have fresh legs.”