Find all the highlights of the World Cup this Wednesday, November 30, especially on the Tunisia-France match.
The false note of the day: the Blues end this group stage with a defeat
The France team had already qualified even before playing this last match. The first place was acquired at 99%. Didier Deschamps then sent a revamped team for this third pool match against Tunisia. And it happened.
The Blues did not emerge against the Eagles of Carthage, much more pressing and enterprising but clumsy. Tunisia logically won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Wahbi Khazri shortly before the hour mark (58th). A defeat that does not change the fate of the French.
Read also“It’s boring but it doesn’t change anything for the 8th”: Griezmann serene after the defeat of the Blues
The failure of the day: TF1 did not show the last seconds of the match
Didier Deschamps’ men thought they equalized at the very end of the match (90+7). Antoine Griezmann’s goal was finally canceled for an offside position… after the final whistle.
An incredible scenario that TF1 did not broadcast, which had already sent the advertising. The channel issued a public apology a few hours later on social media.
Read alsoTunisia-France: false final whistle, imbroglio with the VAR … the end of the match confusion which planted TF1
The sensation of the day: Australia will see the eighth
Australia only needed a draw to qualify but they did it big. The Socceroos won against Denmark 1-0 thanks to a sublime goal from Mathew Leckie on the hour mark (60th).
A success that allows the Australians to secure first place and qualify for the round of 16. They will then challenge Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Denmark among the big disappointments of this competition. The semi-finalist of the last Euro scored only one goal in his three games. Against France.
Read alsoAustralia-Denmark: “So many emotions”, for Leckie, the coach is “proud” to have put “smiles on their faces”
Big performance of the day: Argentina at their best
A first match lost to general surprise against Saudi Arabia (1-2) and a sluggish victory against Mexico (2-0) thanks to a great Lionel Messi. Against Poland, Argentina regained their best level, that of a team which had not lost for 35 games before the competition.
Lionel Scaloni’s men dominated from start to finish: 73% possession, 23 shots. A 2-0 success thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister (47th) and Julian Alvarez (67th). A victory that propels Argentina to the top of group C. L’Albiceleste future opponent of the surprising Australia.
Read alsoFrance-Poland, England-Senegal … We know more about the future table of the Blues at the World Cup
The miss of the day: Mexico believed in it until the end
A victory in vain for the Mexicans. The green had to win against Saudi Arabia, by the widest possible gap, to hope to qualify. Mexico won 2-1 but that was not enough.
The Mexicans may have regrets as they dominated this game: 60% possession, 26 shots, forcing the opposing goalkeeper to eight saves. After a goalless first period, Henry Martin opened the scoring shortly after halftime (48th). Luis Chavez made the break a few minutes later (53rd).
The players of The green will push to the end to score this third goal, which would have been synonymous with qualification. It will not happen. At the very end of the match, the Saudi captain Salem Mohammed Al-Dawsari (90+5) reduced the gap and destroyed Mexican hopes. Both countries eliminated from the competition.
Read alsoFrance-Poland: what time and on which channel to see the eighth of the Blues?
Quote of the day: “I’m not going to condemn anyone”
After this defeat against Tunisia, Didier Deschamps was pragmatic. Aware of the wide turn over done, the French coach does not want to put pressure on the one-night starters.
«I know that I didn’t put the players in the best mood, confesses Didier Deschamps. Goal number one was to finish 1is. We did it. We did not neglect this meeting. I’m not going to condemn anyone, some have touched the very high international level…»
Read alsoFind the press conference of the French coach in full here.
Worry of the day: Ronaldo absent from training
According to’AFP, Cristiano Ronaldo did not take part in Portugal’s collective training on Wednesday. A situation that occurs two days before the last group match, against South Korea.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner would have been content with “specific recovery work“. It was Benfica striker Gonçalo Ramos who took his place in the starting XI during training on Wednesday.
Read alsoWorld Cup: Ronaldo absent in training before South Korea-Portugal
