Sacked coach, zero points: Tunisia's nightmare World Cup campaign

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World Cup daily news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as the FIFA World Cup 2026™ finally gets under way (All times AEST).

AS THINGS STAND FOR THIRD PACE QUALIFY SPOT

1 - Sweden: 4pts, 0GD (three games) - Q 2 - Ecuador: 4pts, 0GD (three games) - Q
3 - Bosnia and Herzegovina: 4pts, -1GD (three games) - Q 4 - Paraguay: 4pts, -2GD (three games) 5 - Croatia: 3pts, -1GD (two games)
6 - South Korea: 3pts, -1GD (three games)
7 - Algeria: 3pts, -2GD (two games)
8 - Scotland: 3pts, -3GD (three games)

NEXT BEST

9 - Cabo Verde: 2pts, 0GD (two games)
10 - Belgium: 2pts, 0GD (two games)
11 - DR Congo: 1pt, -1GD (two games)
12 - Senegal: 0pts, -3GD (two games)

TUNISIA'S WORLD CUP COMES TO AN END

Three defeats, one goal, 10 scored against them a sacked coach and zero points.

Has anyone had a worse World Cup than Tunisia?

They are on track to join some of the more miserable campaigns in the history of the tournament.

After just one match – a 5-1 smashing against Sweden - Sabri Lamouchi was sacked as coach with Hervé Renard flown in as an urgent replacement.

The Frenchman warned before he took the reins that there “are no magicians in football”. He was not wrong.

And no disrespect to Renard, but you want to hope he’s getting a decent cheque for his minimal involvement in the campaign because it will be doing his global credentials no favours.

Tunisia featured in the 1000th World Cup match in history and while it will go down in the history books for the milestone, it was a 4-0 thumping by Japan that Tunisia would no doubt rather forget.

And that has only been compounded by their 3-1 loss to the Netherlands to finish group play.

GOAL SWEDEN!

The Swedes have equalised against Japan at 1-1.

Anthony Elanga produces a brilliant individual effort, cutting inside and then curling home splendidly.

This game is on!

GOAL HOLLAND!

The Dutch are 3-1 to the good after Jan Paul van Hecke puts his front-post header from a Tijjani Reijnders corner on target. Anis Ben Slimane could only help it on its way with his headed attempt to clear.

GOAL JAPAN!

Daizen Maeda is on the scoresheet for Japan in the 56th minute.

A nice through ball from Ritsu Doan is finished expertly by the Celtic star.

1-0 to Samurai Blue.

SOME JOY FOR TUNISIA!

The Tunisians have a goal through Hazem Mastouri who nods home a cross from Hannibal Mejbri.

Netherlands 2-1 Tunisia after 56 minutes in Kansas City.

ANOTHER GOAL!

Netherlands up 2-0. Brian Brobbey with a simple finish from a Virgil van Dijk header.

EARLY GOAL!

Disaster for Tunisia.

Tunisian captain Ellyes Skhiri has put one in the back of the net for the Dutch.

Nightmare tournament for the North Africans.

Tunnel confrontation between sides

A bit of personality and anger in the tunnel after the South Africa South Korea clash yesterday with players clashing and FIFA reportedly forced to intervene.

Jubilance from the Bafana Bafana who, against all odds, leapfrogged South Korea to automatically qualify as the second best finisher in Group A on four points. They danced and sang as they left the field but were apparently told to "show some respect" but their opponents.

Amid the joyous scenes for the South Africans, South Korean players were trying to fulfil their media duties. Being asked to quieten down apparently only spurred the players on and things got louder.

Feyenoord star Hwang In-beom is then understood to have shouted: "Hurry up and move."

FIFA intervened as did South African officials.

THIS IS HUGE!

Ecuador have held on, no that's unfair to them, they have played their hearts out, they didn't park the bus, they carried on ushing and this could be the biggest result in their nation's history. Sure, it leaves them third in the group but this is likely their ticket to the knock-out stage.

Germany stunned in 1-2 loss, didn't mean anything of note for them but this will come as a bloe.

Absolutley incredible scenes. this is everything to Ecuador!!!! The had to beat the four time world champions to stay at the World Cup AND THEY DID!

Goosebumps moment. The crowd has gone wild. Absolute scenes. Ecuador's manager Sebastián Beccacece has launched himself into the crowd.

Elsewhere the Ivory Coast is through to the last 32 for the first time ever.

GOAL!

Would you believe it? Germany have been so so poor and Ecuador have totally taken this game to them and they have taken the lead!

A wonderful goal from the set piece and Gonzalo Plata, in the 78th minute, has done the unthinkable. That gives their chnaces of progressng a massive boost.

Star faces knockout ban

Former Arsenal star Thomas Partey faces the real risk of missing out on the knockout stages (and more) if Ghana progress to the latter stages of the tournament.

He has already been barred from entering Canada for a group match owing to legal proceedings and multiple charges of rape and sexual assault back in the UK - which he denies.

His World Cup fate hinges on where his nation finish in Group L.

With one match remaining in their group - against Croatia on Sunday - Ghana needs to finish top of the standings if they want their star available. That scenario would present a round 32 clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia while finishing second means a return to Canada.

Villarreal midfielder Partey was forced to stay in the USA earlier this month while his side opened their World Cup against Panama.

EARLY GOAL FEST

You need to be up and about early doors this morning for the goals. Two inside eight minutes between Germany and Ecuador. On apiece and this could be an absolute belter of a match.

Leroy Sané was probably a little fortunate he wasn't called for a foul before his early strike but it's just been cancelled out by Nilson Angulo.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Pepe has given the Ivoary Coasy the lead against Curacao.