Wahbi Khazri conceded it was a bittersweet night after his profitable objective towards France proved inadequate for Tunisia to qualify for the World Cup knockout phases.
Khazri was named man of the match after an exquisite show capped by a 58th-minute objective that handed Tunisia a 1-0 win at Education City Stadium.
Unfortunately for Jalel Kadri’s males it was not sufficient to safe a spot within the spherical of 16 as Australia beat Denmark 1-0 to complete second in Group D behind Les Bleus.
Khazri, who performs his membership soccer in France for Montpellier, stated: “It’s a blended feeling. We are glad to beat a staff like France, we gave an excellent efficiency and we go away with our heads held excessive but it surely’s bittersweet as it could’ve been good to win and undergo.
“Ultimately, it’s our fault as we didn’t do enough in the first two games.”
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— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 30, 2022
Roared on by a boisterous help, Tunisia dominated a France staff containing 9 adjustments from that which beat the Danes on Saturday. Khazri had already examined Steve Mandanda within the France objective earlier than, 13 minutes into the second half, he slalomed his method by way of a static backline and slotted into the underside nook.
France thought that they had discovered an injury-time equaliser however Antoine Griezmann, launched off the bench by Didier Deschamps alongside Kylian Mbappe, was adjudged to have been offside earlier than volleying previous Aymen Dahmen.
Khazri had no excuses and blamed Tunisia’s show of their 1-0 defeat to Australia on the weekend as the explanation why they’re heading house.
“When I came off [in the 59th minute] I saw the score in the other game,” he added. “We had been hoping for a objective from Denmark however that’s what occurs while you depend upon others in soccer, and in life typically.
“I am sure the Tunisia fans are proud of us, it’s a shame we cannot celebrate properly.”
Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri echoed Khazri’s sentiments however backtracked on an earlier declare that he would resign if his facet didn’t progress.
“I don’t know why you insist that I resign,” he stated. “We have been capable of proceed our work and the contract I’ve in Tunisia relies on aims. The aims weren’t fulfilled however we nonetheless should do the evaluation, and it is going to be as much as the Tunisian Federation to determine if I’ve achieved the targets or not.
“We beat the defending champions and did our best. It wasn’t easy to collect four points. We played well for five and a half halves with only one – against Australia – not being good enough.”
Deschamps defended his determination to make so many adjustments along with his second-string facet producing a disjointed show.
He stated: “We got here up towards a powerful squad and had been timid, late into the one on ones and made technical errors. But once we introduced on the extra skilled gamers, we had a few goalscoring alternatives and thought we’d equalised on the finish of the sport.
“The first goal was to safe a spot within the spherical of 16. We took this recreation into consideration however [our approach] will repay in just a few days’ time.
“We want all 24 gamers to be out there to play on Sunday. We wanted to juggle the squad.
“Say if we’d won, it wouldn’t have changed the fact we play in four days’ time and we topped the group.”
Deschamps was mystified by the choice to disallow Griezmann’s objective, with VAR intervening after New Zealand referee Matthew Conger had already appeared to have blown the ultimate whistle.
“I need to look at the rules maybe but why did the referee blow the final whistle and then look at VAR?” he added. “I’m not sure this is allowed.”
France will play the staff that finishes second in Group C on Sunday – certainly one of Poland, Argentina, Saudi Arabia or Mexico.
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