FRANCE have the chance to wrap up World Cup Group D in style against rock-bottom Tunisia – but they are struggling to get a foot hold of the game.
Bayern Munich ace Kingsley Coman came the closest for the world champions when he fluffed his lines from a few yards out.
However, Nader Ghandri had the ball in the back of the net for Tunisia but it was ruled out for offside.
- TV channel: BBC One
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
- Group D: LIVE TABLE
- Tunisia XI: Dahman; Meriah, Ghandri, Talbi; Kechrida, Skhiri, Laidouni, Maaloul; Slimane, Ali Ben Romdhane; Khazri
- France XI: Mandanda; Diasi, Varanae, Konate; Guendouzi, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Coman, Veretout, Fofana; Muani
- Preview: How Tunisia can qualify for the last-16
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Group D clash…
50 Tunisia 0-0 France
Tunisia continue to dominate on the pitch like they did in the first half.
However, Kadri’s men are still missing the final pass
48 Tunisia 0-0 France
Penalty Shout!
Tunisia are complaining for a penalty after Khazri goes down inside the French area after a tackle by Tchouameni.
Replay, though, shows the Real Madrid ace just got the ball – short VAR check confirms it
46 Tunisia 0-0 France
No changes from either side as we kick things off in the second half.
France’s heavily rotated side struggled in the first half, but manager Deschamps isn’t fussed about substitutions with Australia vs Denmark still 0-0
Tunisia 0-0 France
Peep!
Off we go again in Qatar!!!
Tunisia vs France stats
France dominated 57 per cent of possession throughout the first half.
Les Bleus, though, couldn’t produce anything meaningful as they only managed two shots off target.
Tunisia, on the other hand, registered three shots, two of which were on target.
More below:
World from the ground
Here’s what SunSport’s man on the field Mark Irwin makes of the fist half:
Goalless at Education City where Tunisia have dominated the French reserve team without seriously threatening to force a breakthrough.
The Eagles of Carthage have had plenty of possession but need to test veteran keeper Steve Mandanda more because he looks like an accident waiting to happen.
The best chance of the first-half fell to Kingsley Coman but his first touch was an absolute shocker and his finish was even worse as he missed the target by yards.
Didier Deschamps’ shadow team aren’t exactly staking a claim to keep their place in the starting line-up for the matches that matter.
And all those rested superstars watching from the bench certainly don’t look as though they are fearing for their places.
Mark Irwin
HT: Tunisia 0-0 France
France and Tunisia are goalless after the first half at the Education City Stadium.
Didier Deschamps’ heavily rotated side has struggled so far against the Tunisians, who are very much up for it.
The Eagles of Carthage thought they scored their first goal of the 2022 World Cup after just eight minutes.
Nader Ghandri met a wicked free-kick delivery by Wahbi Khazri on the left and beat Steve Mandanda but was caught just inches offside
Credit: Reuters HT: Tunisia 0-0 France
Peep!
That’s half-time in Qatar!!!
45+2 Tunisia 0-0 France
Chance!
Tunisia make a last-ditch effort with a powerful shot from the left by Khazri but the ball goes over the crossbar
45 Tunisia 0-0 France
Just two more minutes of added time to go.
France should be happy with that score based on their performance so far
43 Tunisia 0-0 France
Tunisia manager Kadri looks uneasy, he would have wanted a goal by now.
Still, the Tunisians will love the half-time news of Australia and Denmark still being 0-0.
Especially after their strong first-half showing
40 Tunisia 0-0 France
France are slowly gaining ground with the obvious mission of maintaining a clean sheet by half-time.
Deschamps still doesn’t have reason to bring his stars in as Australia vs Denmark is still 0-0
38 Tunisia 0-0 France
We’re slowly approaching half-time and France’s heavily rotated side is just managing to survive.
Tunisia should be disappointed for not hitting the net – at least from an onside position…
35 Tunisia 0-0 France
Chance!
Tunisia star Khazri delivers a powerful long-range shot and Mandanda saves with a lunge to his left
33 Tunisia 0-0 France
Tunisia are keeping their lines high and that leads to some tremendous press in midfield.
France are struggling to move the ball forward and are often dispossessed in the middle of the pitch
30 Tunisia 0-0 France
Chance
Tunisia continue to knock on France’s door with Slimane getting a header that gets a defender’s deflection.
But the ball goes safely to Mandanda’s hands
28 Tunisia 0-0 France
Yellow card
We have the first booking of the match and it goes to Tunisia ace Kechrida after a late challenge on Gunedouzi
25 Tunisia 0-0 France
Chance!
France register their first big chance with Coman getting inside the area but a heavy touch leads to a shot way off target
25 Tunisia 0-0 France
Liverpool ace Konate has been having a marvellous game so far, France’s best player so far in the first half.
Tunisia’s attacks are constantly cut by the centre-back, some crucial tackles on Khazri and Kechrida
23 Tunisia 0-0 France
France are obviously struggling to put anything together, those players are not used to playing together.
Don’t be shocked if we see Mbappe coming on in the second half…
20 Tunisia 0-0 France
Tunisia have been dominating tempo so far in the match.
The crowd – mostly Tunisian – is absolutely loving this.
It is so obvious Deschamps is thinking about the Round of 16.
Really good game by Liverpool ace Konate so far in defence
18 Tunisia 0-0 France
Here’s a sight we’re not used to…
Mbappe is on the bench as France manager Deschamps is looking ahead for the Last 16 where he will need his top stars.
Heavily rotated line-up by the French tactician
Credit: Rex 15 Tunisia 0-0 France
Here’s how the two teams look like today.
Tunisia in all white whereas France don their legendary blue
Credit: Reuters 13 Tunisia 0-0 France
Tunisia star Khazri goes down inside France’s area after a challenge from Konate.
But the referee waives play on and replay proves him right
12 Tunisia 0-0 France
Tunisia were so close they could taste it!
Ghandri sent the ball to the back of the net but was slightly offside
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
