Tunisia’s World Cup has unravelled in brutal fashion. Two matches, two heavy defeats and a change of coach have left the North Africans eliminated before their final group game has even been played.
Their latest setback came against Japan, who swept to a 4-0 victory and moved to the brink of the knockout stage. Tunisia, by contrast, were left with one goal scored, nine conceded and no points from their first two Group F matches.
It was a result that underlined just how quickly their tournament has fallen apart. Tunisia had already opened with a 5-1 defeat to Sweden, a result followed by the departure of head coach Sabri Lamouchi. Hervé Renard was brought in during the tournament, but there was no immediate rescue act. Against Japan, Tunisia were behind after just four minutes and never looked capable of recovering.
B.T. described the campaign as a “huge fiasco” after Tunisia were “humiliated in front of the cameras” in its World Cup verdict.
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Tunisia’s collapse
The numbers tell the story of a side that has never found its footing. Tunisia have conceded nine goals in two matches and are already mathematically out of the race to progress from the group.
The coaching change only added to the sense of disorder. Renard arrived with a strong reputation in international football, including spells with Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Zambia and Ivory Coast. But the task he inherited was severe, and Japan exposed Tunisia’s lack of structure from the opening minutes.
There is still one match left, against the Netherlands on 25 June, but it will not change the substance of Tunisia’s tournament. Their World Cup has become a case study in how quickly a campaign can lose direction.
Japan step forward
Japan’s story is very different. Their 4-0 win over Tunisia was sharp, disciplined and ruthless, and it strengthened their position in a difficult group.
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After drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands in their opening match, Japan now sit on four points with a goal difference of +4. They have scored six goals in two games and have shown enough attacking variety to trouble any opponent in the next round.
Their final group match against Sweden will decide their exact route, but Japan are firmly in control of their own fate. A draw would be enough to secure progression, while a win could improve their seeding and potentially shape a more favourable knockout path.
Two campaigns moving in opposite directions
For Tunisia, the remaining task is to leave the tournament with some measure of pride. For Japan, the ambition is growing.
The contrast could hardly be clearer. One team has been consumed by defeat, instability and damage limitation. The other is playing with energy, confidence and the look of a side capable of extending its stay.
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Japan are not yet through, but they are close. Tunisia are not yet finished playing, but their World Cup hopes are already gone.
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