2022 Qatar World Cup: Argentina Advance To Round Of 16, Tunisia Beat France

Argentina have advanced from the World Cup Group Stages and will face Australia in the Round of 16. France had already qualified before their loss to Tunisia

Group D final fixtures saw France face African giants Tunisia, a former French colony. The fixture ended in jubilation for the Tunisians despite bowing out of the World Cup in style.

France Head Coach Didier Deschamps made 9 changes to the team that had already sealed qualification. Veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was rested as Steve Mandanda reached a personal milestone, playing for France at 3 World Cups.

After just 8 minutes Wahbi Khazri whipped in a cross, only for Nader Ghandri’s goal to be ruled out for offside. The intent was clear. A major shock was in the offing.

Tunisia were yet to score a goal at this World Cup, and they were dominating possession as France misfired in the attack.

Tunisia maintained the tempo in the second half and in the 58th minute found the back of the net through Wahbi Khazri. Fofana gets dispossessed and the ball gets to Khazri, who glides past Varane and gives the Carthage Eagles the well-deserved lead.

France found no reward in their attempts to come back and could not find the back of the net. Substitute Antoine Griezmann thought he had equalized for Les Blues but his goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

In the other Group D fixture, Australia beat Denmark 1-0, Mathew Leckie scored the only goal in the 60th minute as the win ensured Australia qualified as runners-up for the Round of 16, a heartbreak for Tunisia, who bow out in style. 👌

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Group C

Group C came to a close and World Cup favorites Argentina had to secure qualification by beating Poland. Argentina bounced back from a shocking matchday one defeat to Saudi Arabia, to beat both Mexico and Poland, topping the group.

Argentina are still in the World Cup and can now breathe easy, despite Lionel Messi missing a penalty in the second half. Wojciech Szczesny gave a hero’s performance at Stadium 974, saving Messi’s penalty and keeping Poland in the game for most of the first half. 🧤

Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez scored for Argentina in the 2-0 win as Poland held nerves since the goal difference would either ensure qualification or elimination.

With the lead, Argentina produced arguably their best performance at this World Cup and saw out the rest of the game.

In the other Group C fixture Mexico beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 but did not qualify for the Round of 16, a huge let-off for Poland. Salem Al Dawsari’s last-minute consolation goal for Saudi Arabia was heartbreaking for the Mexicans.

Henry Martin and Luis Chavez scored with the latter curling a glorious 30-yard free-kick into the top corner, sending the Mexican fans into a frenzy. They thought they had a third but Hirving Lozano’s goal was waived for offside.

Agony for Mexico as they are eliminated without reaching the round of 16 for the first time since 1978.

Argentina will face Australia in the Round of 16 on Saturday, December 3 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Poland will face France on Sunday, December 4 at the Al Thumama Stadium.

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