World Cup 2022 Preview, Tunisia Vs France: Les Bleus Here Are Perfect Points!

JAKARTA - France is no longer bothered by the results of this match because it has confirmed itself to qualify for the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup finals after winning the first two matches of Group D.

But France will not hand this match over to its former colony and instead try to win this match to become the first team of the 2022 World Cup to qualify for the last 16 by winning all of their three group stage matches.

In addition, France is too tough for anyone, including Tunisia, because it is strong on all fronts and is very deadly in front of the opponent's goal.

However, Tunisian coach Jalel Kadri said nothing was impossible in this world, including defeating defending champions France, let alone winning to see them reach the knockout round after failing on the previous five occasions.

"My message to our players is nothing is impossible, we are still surviving, we are still motivated and we are ready for this last fight," Kadri said. "Our hope is still very high."

France is trying to find balance by resting a number of players and maintaining momentum in this World Cup.

Our goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda being put through their paces yesterday 🧤#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/uRWiXWRzTj

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 29, 2022

The reigning champions have qualified for the last 16 to face Group C runners-up after a 4-1 win against Australia and a 2-1 win over Denmark. They drew enough against Tunisia to finish at the top of the table.

If they finish first, they will face a team that takes second place in Group C which could be Argentina.

Coach Didier Deschamps has certainly rested a number of key players and included a number of his second-tier players in the match at the Education City Stadium.

Kylian Mbappe may still be played in a reserve position. But this French mainstay hopes to be played in a match that has not determined France's fate so that the score of the goal increases.

Steve Mandanda may be played as a starter considering Deschamps wants to rest Hugo Lloris.

Jules Kunde was also played as right-back so he replaced Benjamin Pavard's place which appeared disappointing in the match against Denmark.

Deschamps still doubts about playing Raphael Varane who returned to a hamstring injury during the second half of the second match of Group D.

Midfielder Aurellien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot are likely to be rested, while Lucas Hernandez will be permanently replaced by his younger brother, Theo, in a left-back position.

Meanwhile, in front, Olivier Giroud remains a starter. He has now matched Thierry Henry's 51 goals.

But it all didn't scare Tunisia. "I trust the players and hopefully we will be lucky and step into the next phase," said Jelil Kadri.

Tunisia may hope France, which has secured their place in the last 16, will not play hard.

Tunisia took a point from the opening match against Denmark which ended in a goalless draw. But they lost 0-1 to Australia in the second match.

Victory could also convince Kadri to remain a coach after hinting at resigning if his squad was stopped in the group stage.

"We'll see the results of the match," said Kadri in response to questions about the possibility of his team winning.

Predictions of the first eleven players

Tunisia (3-4-2-1): Aymen Dahmen; Dylan Bronn, Montassar Talbi, Yassine Meriah; Wajdi Kechrida, Ellyes Skhiri, Aissa Laidouni, Ali Abdi; Youssef Msakni, Naim Sliti; Wahdi Khazri.

France (4-2-3-1): Steve Mandanda; Benjamin Pavard, Ibrahima Konate, Raphael Varane, Eduardo Camavinga; Matteo Guendouzi, Youssouf Fofana; Kingsley Coman, Antoinne Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe; Marcus Thuram.

Important statistics of both teams

This is the first competitive match between the two countries after France won twice a friendly and drew twice 1-1 last in 2010.

France was the first team to qualify for the last 16 after beating Denmark in the second match of Group D and slaughtering Australia 4-1 in the first match.

After a draw against Denmark in the opening match, Tunisia surrendered to Australia in the second match and had to beat the world champions to the last 16.

This is the second round of the 16th World Cup for France. They are now nine games unbeaten in the World Cup since losing in the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals to Germany in Rio de Janeiro.

Tunisia was the first African country to win a World Cup finals match when they beat Mexico 3-1 in Argentina in 1978.

Ten out of 26 Tunisian players were born in France and they have three players based at the French club.