Renard – Saudi Arabia are not at the World Cup “just for a jolly”
Poland take on Saudi Arabia in Group C of World Cup 2022 this afternoon and will be hoping to improve on their goalless draw against Mexico which saw Robert Lewandowski mess up an opportunity to earn the European side three points when he missed a penalty in the second half. Group C is delicately poised and Poland will realize that a win today puts them within touching distance of the knockouts ahead of a difficult final group game versus Argentina.
Saudi Arabia meanwhile produced the shock result of the tournament so far when they came from behind to defeat Argentina 2-1 in their opening game. Such was the surprise of the result that a public holiday was called in their country to celebrate. That win means that the Saudis will reach the last 16 if they also defeat Poland today.
Reaching the knockout stage would be a historic landmark for Saudi Arabia. They did so on their World Cup debut in 1994 but haven’t made it out of the groups in their previous four campaigns.
Yet, injuries could be a factor in deciding which way the game goes. Poland’s Krystian Bielik and Bartosz Bereszynski both picked up knocks against Mexico and are doubts for the game while Saudi Arabia will be without defender Yasser Al Shahrani who is expected to miss the rest of the tournament.
Follow all the action from Qatar with our live blog below:
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
75 mins: There are a lot of nervous faces in the crowd from both sets of fans. This is a huge match for both teams and the result could determine who remains in the World Cup following the final round of fixtures next week.
15 minutes or so to play.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:39
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
72 mins: Close! That should have been the game!
Aziz Behich wins the ball off Wahbi Khazri and slides it down the line to Craig Goodwin. He flicks it over the top and finds Jamie Maclaren who takes the ball along the left edge of the penalty area before fizzing a low pass into the six-yard box.
It’s a great ball and one that should result in a goal as Mathew Leckie lunges towards it. All he needs is a touch to beat the goalkeeper but the ball bounces past him and Tunisia are spared more blushes.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:35
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
69 mins: Ajdin Hrustic is given the ball out on the right and he flicks it over a defender before looking to sprint in behind. He slips as he rolls off the shoulder meaning the move breaks down but it’s a sign of the imagination he brings to the Australian team.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:32
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
66 mins: Australia make a double change to try and wrestle some more possession. Mitchell Duke and Riley McGree went off with Ajdin Hrustic and Jamie Maclaren brought on.
For Tunisia Wahbi Khazri is introduced as another threat up top.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:30
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
63 mins: Australia’s main threat is now coming from counter-attacks and Ali Al-Abdi recognizes that. Jackson Irvine looks to burst through the middle but the Tunisian midfielder takes him out early and earns himself a yellow card for the trouble.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:28
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
60 mins: Nice comeback from Australia who find some room to break on the counter attack with Craig Goodwin flying down the left. He fizzes a low effort into the six-yard box but there’s no one around to turn the ball towards the goal.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:22
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
57 mins: Tunisia play the free kick quickly but Laidouni is still rolling around on the floor so the referee pulls back play just as Ellyes Skhiri takes the ball into the penalty area.
Tunisia aren’t happy about that but it’s their own fault for the play acting. These are all good signs for the African nation however. They’ve come out of the break with purpose and are taking the game to Australia.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:18
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
54 mins: There’s an appeal for handball against Australia. Jebali weaves into the penalty area but loses possession to Aaron Mooy who boots the ball away.
It strikes one of his teammates on what Tunisia say was the arm – it wasn’t – and comes out to Aissa Laidouni who buys a free kick with an extravagant fall following a routine tackle.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:16
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
51 mins: Riley McGree brings the ball up to the edge of the box for Australia before running into trouble and sliding the ball back to Jackson Irvine.
He whips the ball out to Craig Goodwin on the left wing who delivers a good cross into the box only for Tunisia to deal with it without too much trouble.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:12
Tunisia 0-1 Australia
48 mins: Tunisia have also changed the formation, electing to go with a back four and send another man into the midfield. That control works out for them as they win an early corner but Aussie defender Harry Souttar rises highest to head the ball clear.
Bright start to the second half from Tunisia though.
Michael Jones26 November 2022 11:09
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