Right on target: Tunisia’s Wahbi Khazri (right) scoring the winner against the defending champions France during their Group D match at the Education City Stadium.
TUNISIANS celebrated a historic but bittersweet World Cup victory over France as they defeated their former colonial power but still crashed out of a tournament marked by a remarkable string of Arab wins over football powerhouses.
Car horns sounded in Tunis after the final whistle in Tunisia’s 1-0 win as fans savoured the moment even though their side did not make it through to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup, the first in an Arab country. It was the third upset by an Arab country against heavily fancied opponents, but like Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina last week it was not enough to secure a place in the next round.
Already the surprise Arab victories in the opening stages have been applauded across the Arab region despite its deep political divisions.
“The victory over France was wonderful and had a special taste ... Arab football regained its dignity from the former colonialists countries,” said Narredine Salem, sitting in the Tunis cafe where he watched the match.
As the game ended, dozens of people ran into the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue, often the site of political protests, waving flags and cheering.
In the official fan zone in Tunis, about 2,000 fans had been cheering through the game, many in Tunisian national football shirts or with their faces painted.
“It was a beautiful victory and a convincing performance but in the end it was very harsh to be knocked out,” Salem said.
In Qatar, Saudi fans celebrated Tunisia’s win, another show of Arab unity that has been a feature of the tournament, said Abeer Awaisha, a Tunisian fan in Qatar.
Hours after Tunisia missed out on a place in the last 16, Saudi Arabia were also eliminated even though a late strike against Mexico cut their deficit to a single goal.
“It’s enough that Saudi won against Argentina, that is a historic, unmatched feat,” Saudi supporter Mashael Hussein said in Riyadh.
“It’s true we were hoping to win again, but in the end we came into (the match) with national pride.” — Reuters
