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France Secure Top Spot Despite Loss To Eliminated Tunisia

France Secure Top Spot Despite Loss To Eliminated Tunisia

AL RAYYAN, QATAR - NOVEMBER 30: Wahbi Khazri of Tunisia reacts after scoring their teams first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and France at Education City Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Tunisia 1-0 France

Tunisia crashed out of the FIFA World Cup despite securing a 1-0 win over world champions France on Wednesday evening.

With qualification to the round of 16 already secured, France coach Didier Deschamps rang the changes as Steve Mandanda replaced Hugo Lloris in goals, while Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann dropped to the bench.

The African giants knew that only a would give them a chance of securing a spot in the last 16, as talisman Wahbi Khazri was recalled to the starting line-up in a false nine role.

Tunisia had the ball in the back of the net after eight minutes when Nader Ghandri turned home Wabhi Khazri's free-kick, but celebrations were cut short due to an offside.

The second-string French side look disjointed for most of the opening 45 minutes and failed to register a serious opening at the Tunisia goal.

Tunisia made their dominance count in the 58th minute when Fofana lost possession in the middle of the park and gifted the ball to Khazri, who surged towards the box before firing into the bottom corner.

Deschamps responded by introducing Kylian Mbappe, Adrien Rabiot and William Saliba, while Griezmann made his way on to the park a few minutes later.

Griezmann thought he had bagged a late equaliser to earn the reigning a share of the spoils in stoppage time but after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the goal was ruled out for offside.

Australia 1-0 Denmark

Australia secured their spot in the round of 16 after defeating Denmark 1-0 on Wednesday evening.

The Socceroos made just one change from the win over Tunisia, with Milos Degenek replacing Fran Karacic at left-back.

The Danes, meanwhile, brought in Mathias Jensen, Andreas Skov Olsen and Martin Braithwaite as Andreas Cornelius,  Christian Norgaard and Victor Nelson dropped to the bench.

Denmark, needing a win, were the dominant side in the first half but they were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Matt Ryan, who produced a couple vital saves to keep his side in the game.

After a goalless first half, Australia got the breakthrough on 60 minutes when Matthew Leckie got on the end of McGree's through ball before slotting into the far corner.

Denmark thought they had won a penalty in the 71st minute after Kasper Dolberg was brought down in the box, but they were unsuccessful as there was on offside before the foul.

Australia were able to see out the closing stages to claim maximum points, which sees the side finish second in the group.

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