Tunisian attacker, Wahbi Khazri scored the lone goal of the game as Tunisia defeated World Cup title holders France, by 1-0 at the Education City Stadium.

The shock victory was not enough for them to join the defending champions, in the last 16 of the tournament in Qatar.

Khazri steered home a 58th-minute winner amid a cluster of defenders for only a third victory, at six World Cup tournaments for Tunisia, but they were still eliminated as Australia beat Denmark 1-0 in the other group match.

France, who made nine changes for this match from the team that beat Denmark and had already booked their place in the knockout stages, finished top of Group D on goal difference from runners-up Australia.

Australia imposed on Denmark a 1-0 score, to earn her World Cup last 16 spot.

Tunisia were left dejected after Australia’s win , over Denmark sent the North African team packing.

In the final minutes, Tunisia had to hold on for the victory as an Antoine Griezmann goal in stoppage time, was disallowed following a VAR review.

Khazri, who grew up in Corsica and plays in Ligue 1 for Montpellier, was one of six players in the Tunisian line-up, who were born on French soil and he was capped by France at the under-21 level.

There is a large Tunisian community in France who will savour the result, the country’s first win against European opposition at a World Cup and just their third ever in 18 matches at the tournament.

By Brian Mboh