France still top World Cup group despite shock defeat against Tunisia

Nader Ghandri (3rd R) of Tunisia vies for the ball during the Group D match between Tunisia and France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

DOHA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions France finished as Group D leaders despite a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tunisia at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.

Tunisia almost saw their stunning victory over Didier Deschamps' side slip away in the last minute, but Antoine Griezmann's goal was canceled by VAR. However, it was not enough to secure the African team a spot in the last 16 as they ranked third in the group. France and Australia were the top two finishers and progressed.

France had better goal difference over Australia, who beat Denmark 1-0 in the other match on Wednesday.

Captain Wahbi Khazri scored the winning goal for Tunisia in the 58th minute through a brilliant sole performance, as he dribbled from the middle circle to the box and slotted the ball into the far corner.

Deschamps' squad went into the match having already secured a place in the knockout stage, so the 54-year-old Frenchman chose to rest most of regular starters including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Griezmann, and brought them on when his team fell behind in the second half.

But all the efforts from those star strikers failed to earn a goal for Les Blues. Griezmann did score in stoppage time which sent Tunisian supporters in the stadium into silence, but the referee checked VAR and canceled the goal.

Khazri's goal had once sent Tunisia to second place in the group, but only for a couple of minutes. Australia took the lead against Denmark and finally claimed the victory to regain the spot and to stay in the tournament. 

Aissa Laidouni (2nd L) of Tunisia vies with Randal Kolo Muani of France during the Group D match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

Nader Ghandri (front) of Tunisia celebrates a goal which later is rules out for offside during the Group D match between Tunisia and France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Eduardo Camavinga (front R) of France vies with Anis Ben Slimane of Tunisia during the Group D match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Players of Tunisia celebrate a goal by Wahbi Khazri during the Group D match between Tunisia and France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Randal Kolo Muani (front R) of France competes during the Group D match between Tunisia and France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)