France's unbeaten World Cup run ends as VAR chalks off late equaliser after full time

Tunisia beat France 1-0 to consigning them to their first defeat in the World Cup group stages for 12 years, but it was all for nothing as Australia sealed second spot in the group after beating Denmark

Harry Brent Senior Sports Writer

19:16, 30 Nov 2022

Tunisia beat France, but it was all in vain as Australia grabbed second spot in the group after beating Denmark(Image: Getty Images)

France lost their first World Cup group stage game since 2010 after being downed by Tunisia, though it took a rarely-seen post-match VAR check for the Africans to seal the result.

Antoine Griezmann thought he'd equalised for Les Bleus right at the death after lashing the ball home during a 98th-minute penalty box scramble, only for referee Matthew Conger to signal for a VAR review just after blowing the full-time whistle.

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The goal was then chalked off for offside, ending France's run of eight World Cup group games unbeaten, and handing Tunisia a well-deserved, but totally consolatory, three points with Australia's 1-0 win over Denmark consigning them to an early exit.

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With his side already qualified for the knockout stages, Didier Deschamps fielded a weakened team, making nine changes to the side that beat Denmark on Saturday, but despite enjoying plenty of possession, France were largely played off the park by the Tunisians.

The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann are expected to return to the starting line-up for France's last-16 clash on Sunday, but there's no question their momentum has dented, which is good news for England, who could meet them in the quarter-finals.

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Griezmann glares at the referee after being told his goal was being checked by VAR(Image: BBC)

The goal was then chalked off - after the full-time whistle went!(Image: BBC)

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As the defending champions, there's plenty of expectation on the shoulders of this French side, but after losing vital first teamers in N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema to injury on the eve of the tournament, they're not nearly as strong as they ought to be.

They'll find out who their last-16 opponents will be later on this evening, with Argentina, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Mexico all still vying for a place in the knockout stages, with a mouth-watering repeat of their 2018 last-16 clash with Lionel Messi and Co on the cards.

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