Tunisia-France (1-0): lost defeat, wasted match

It was for butter and it wasn’t even semi-salted. This Tunisia-France had no taste, did not portend anything new under the Doha sun, but we must fight the idea that it is generally useless. All the outfield players on Didier Deschamps’ list have already played a World Cup match and William Saliba, the last one interested, has reached the hour mark. They won’t be looking forward to their turn anymore, it’s come regardless of their performance.

They will be able to go back to doing what they do best and, as we suspected, to stay on the bench. Rafael Varane, for his part, was able to get back into the rhythm by treading the meadow for 63 minutes and a few days before the 1/8 finals, it’s always better than nothing, or than a closed-door confrontation against formations from the Qatari Liga 1 without thickness .

During this time, the “real” holders were able to rest by offering some (not Kylian Mbappé, Adien Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann or Ousmane Dembele, all included) eight days between Denmark (2-1) and the Round of 16. That Didier Deschamps lost to Tunisia, punished by Wahbi Khazri shortly before the hour mark (1-0, 58th), he will surely win back if the Blues overcome the next obstacle. And Jules Kunde was able to erase his warning received against the Scandinavians, leaving the tournament empty. The coach announced that he would be the manager and strictly adhered to his program. The spectacle and emotions were not part of his plans, because he is preparing the World Cup, and not this match against Tunisia.

Obviously, the positive will remain scarce for some observers, no doubt disappointed. They came on a losing day for France, who realized in real life that they had no solution as Theo Hernandez’s backup, Eduardo Camavinga, was drawing all he could from the left flank, even if the former Rennes started very badly. before finding some landmarks. The day when the fury of the Tunisians, forced to win in the hope of second place, hit the stadium like a red tide, finally seeing with their own eyes the goal of their choice in Qatar.

Antoine Griezmann fails to equalize

One evening, at least in Doha, where the Blues boss decided to level up all his circles or almost by choosing a time for play and not for creativity. There is little chance under these conditions that Randal Kolo Muani will touch the ball in depth or on the surface. French construction remained a mirage, and Jordan Veretout and Matteo Guendouzi won their game of hide and seek in Doha. It’s even a triumph if the idea is to never see them again from the tournament.

The last half hour will be the most consistent for the Blues, the most exciting, knowing that they have come from nowhere, going in circles and not knowing where to put it all. Deschamps’ players returned to the start of the thread as several holders filled the team again and Australia gained the lead over Denmark, nullifying the Tunisian game. There was also nothing stunning with a half-volley from the center of Rabiot, a dash to the left from Mbappé and a ricochet shot from Colo Muani.

In the dusk and shortly before the shower, the Blues thought they had scored Antoine Griezmann before video assistance gave extra time in stoppage time to check for the striker’s offside, effective at the moment of the cross. It really was time for this to end and for Blue to return to his bedroom or living room to find out his fate next Sunday.