DOHA: Tunisia’s upset 1-0 victory over defending champions France went in vain as Australia booked a Round of 16 berth following their triumph over bottom-placed Denmark in the final round of Group D matches on Wednesday.
Tunisia put on a remarkable performance in their last group fixture against defending champions and marked another upset in the ongoing world cup. The triumph, however, proved insufficient for them to secure a knockout spot as Australia edged Denmark to finish as runners-up of Group D.
The African side put on a defiant show in the first half of the game to keep a much-changed French attack silent.
Their momentum-filled Tunisian side momentum just 13 minutes into the second half won the ball again and Aissa Laidouni played it forward to Wahbi Khazri, who turned and glide towards the goal, stepped beyond two defenders before slotting the ball into the far corner.
France came close to avoiding the upset defeat when Antoine Griezmann struck in the stoppage time, which was, however, ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Despite failing to qualify for the knockout stage, Tunisia have something to celebrate as their triumph over France was their first win against European opposition at a World Cup and third overall in 18 matches.
Tunisia, however, wanted Australia to drop points in their group fixture against Denmark to allow them to make it to the next round but Mathew Leckie’s second-half strike spilt beans on their hopes as the Socceroos’ 1-0 win over Denmark bolstered them to finish second in Group D standings.
World Champion France will now await Group C runners-up in the Last 16 on Sunday, while Australia will take on Group C winners earlier on the same day.
