While France composted its ticket for the round of 16, Tunisia plays its qualification this Wednesday, November 30, 2022, but its destiny is not in its hands.
Tunisia faces France this Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday on behalf of the last day of the group phase of the World Cup.
It will be hard for the Carthage Eagles which will be obliged to beat the world champions and wait for a misstep from the Danes who face Australia.
The local and international press put this match under the magnifying glass, in particular due to the close ties between the two countries.
Indeed, it is useful to recall that more than 700 thousand Tunisians live in France and that the Tunisian community is one of the largest in France.
It is also recalled that some players playing in national selection are Franco-Tunisian as in particular Wahbi Khazri who evokes a “dream of facing his native country”.
Before this decisive match, it is useful to recall the history of confrontations between the two nations.
May 19, 1978, Villeneuve d’Ascq: France-Tunisia 2-0
The first France – Tunisia in history is a preparation match for the 1978 World Cup. Qualified for the first final phase of their history, the Tunisians rely on a talented generation, that of the Temime, Tarek, Agrebi, Ghommidh, Attouga, etc. It is Michel Platini who opens the scoring at the 71 ′ before Dalger doubles the 74 ′.
France: Bertrand-Demanes-Battiston, P.Iri (Bracci, 86th), Lopez, Janvion-Petit, Bathenay, Guillou (Platini, 43rd)-Dalger, Berdoll (Lacombe, 63rd), six (Rouyer, 46th). Coach: Hidalgo.
Tunisia: Naili – Kaabi, Dhouib, Jendoubi, Gasmi – Agrebi, Ghommidh (Labidi, 71st), Dhiab – Temime, Akid (Hasni, 46th), Ben Aziza (Limam, 77th). Coach: CHETALI.
August 21, 2002, Radès: Tunisia-France 1-1
Tunisia and France meet 24 years later in friendly in Radès. Silvestre will mark the Blues in the 19 ′ before Ali Zitouni equals 39 ′.
Tunisia: Boumnijel – Trabelsi, Jaïdi, Badra, Clayton (Mhadhebi, 71st) – Mkacher, Mnari (Sellami, 60th) – Melki (Ouertani, 65th), Benachour, Gabsi (Thabet, 71e) – Zitouni (Selliti, 73e). Coach: Y.Zouaoui.
France: COUPT – Sagnol (Petit, 46th), Thuram (Br. Cheyrou, 75th), M.Silvestre (Desailly, 46th), Candela (Bréchet, 64e) – Makelélé, Christetalval, Carrière (Vieira, 46th), Zidane – Henry (Marlet, 46th), Govou (Cissé, 64th). Coach: Santini.
October 14, 2008, Saint-Denis: France-Tunisia 3-1
France receives Tunisia as a friendly at the Stade de France. It is the Carthage Eagles that open the scoring by Issam Jemaa, who deceives Mandanda (30 ′). A double by Thierry Henry (40 ′, 48 ′) gives the advantage to the Blues while the young Benzema closes the mark (58 ′).
France: Mandanda-Fanni, Boumsong, Abidal, Clichy-Toulalan, A.Diarra, Gourcuff (Briand, 80th), Ribéry (Ben Arfa, 46th), Henry (Malouda, 84th)-Benzema (Sinama-Pongolle, 69th). Coach: Domenech.
Tunisia: Mathluthi – Mikari, Ghezal, Haggui, Boussaïdi – Felhi (Darragi, 75th), Ragued, Ben Yahia (Boujelbene, 64th), Ben Khalfallah (Mosrati, 90th+3), Belaïd (Essifi, 69th) – Jemaa (Ben Saada, 79th). Coach: H.COELHO.
May 30, 2010, Radès: Tunisia-France 1-1
Issam JEMAA Entrance mark (5 ′) and Gallas will equalize at the 62 ′ for the Blues.
Tunisia: Mathluthi (Kasraoui, 46th) – IFFA, Haggui, Jemal, Mikari (Merieh, 83rd) – Nafti (Ragued, 71st), Korbi, Darragi (Benachour, 58th) – Msakni (Mouihbi, 63e), Ben Khalfallah, Jemaa (Chikhaoui). Coach: S.TRABALSI.
France: Lloris – Sagna, Gallas (Squillaci, 63rd), Abidal (Planus, 46th), Evra (Clichy, 63rd) – Toulalan, Gourcuff (Diaby, 63rd), Malouda – Govou (Cissé, 75th), Ribéry (Henry, 46th), Anelka (Gignac, 63rd). Coach: Domenech.