Only France has done enough to ensure a place in the last-16 in today’s match, leaving Australia, Denmark, Tunisia, Poland, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Mexico all to play on day 11 of the tournament when the field of eight will be reduced to eight teams.
Seeking to finish the group stages with a 100% record, France square off against Tunisia at the Education City Stadium in the final round of Group D fixtures on Wednesday.
While the reigning champions have already confirmed their place in the knockout stages, Tunisia must claim all three points to stand a chance of making it out of the group stages for the first time in five finals.
Having secured two wins from their opening two matches, France secured a place in the last 16 for the third time since 2014, while also becoming the first nation out of the group stages in Qatar.
France got their title defence up and running with a 4-1 victory over Australia on November 22, before seeing off Denmark 2-1 four days later courtesy of a second-half brace from Kylian Mbappe.
As for Tunisia, they are now on the brink of a third consecutive group-stage exit at the FIFA World Cup as they sit rock-bottom in Group D after claiming one point from their opening two outings.
Having kicked off their campaign with an impressive draw against a superior Denmark side on November 22, the Carthage Eagles were sent crashing down to earth as they fell to a 1-0 loss against Australia four days later.
While Tunisia need all three points against France to keep their slim hopes alive, they are winless in each of the last four meetings between the two nations, losing twice and picking up two draws.
Their lack of firing power was exposed further in their second match against Australia, where they showed an equally high level of passion and incredible work rate but eventually succumbed to a towering header from Mitchell Duke.
Tunisia have yet to score in 27 shots at this World Cup, something they will have to change if they are to stand a chance of progressing.
If Australia beat Denmark in that other game, even a Tunisian win won’t help the North African side survive. But if Australia draw their match with Denmark, then a Tunisian win would be enough for them to qualify.
And if Tunisia and Denmark both win their matches, they will be level on points, and qualification will depend on goal difference.
France head into this match having scored six goals in two games and only need a draw to guarantee the top spot in the group.
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Source: Starrfm
