FIFA World Cup, France and Australia reach R16: Key stats
Australia thrashed Denmark 1-0 to storm into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup. Mathew Leckie struck a second-half goal to help their side prevail in a crucial Group D encounter. Meanwhile, Tunisia bested France 1-0 but failed to book a berth in the top two. Captain Wahbi Khazri starred with a goal, while rival Antoine Griezmann's attempt was ruled out by VAR.
Interesting records from the France-Tunisia match
This was France's first encounter with Tunisia since a 1-1 draw in May 2010. Prior to this fixture, France had never lost in their previous four match-ups with Tunisia (W2 D2). France had just two shots in the first half against Tunisia, their fewest in the first half of a group-stage match at a World Cup since 1966.
Khazri, Griezmann script history
As per Opta, Khazri has become the first African player in World Cup history to score in three consecutive starts. He has been directly involved in each of Tunisia's last five goals at the tournament (G3 A2). As per Squawka, Griezmann has now played 70 consecutive games for France without missing a single one.
Record holders for Australia and Denmark
Mathew Ryan and Leckie became Australia's joint-highest appearance makers in World Cup history alongside Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano (9 games). Kasper Schmeichel made his seventh World Cup appearance, equaling the most by a Denmark goalkeeper in the competition alongside Thomas Sorensen.
Australia beat Denmark 1-0
Denmark controlled the ball game for the bulk of the first half but were quiet in the attacking third. The Danes lost the ball in the Australian box post-half-time and Leckie capitalized on the counter-attack to get Socceroos 1-0 up. Denmark's closest attempt was in the stoppage time, with substitute Andreas Cornelius finding the roof of the net with his header.
Contrasting feats for Australia, Denmark
Australia won consecutive WC matches for the first time. They have progressed from the group stage of the competition for only the second time in six tournament appearances (also 2006). Denmark were eliminated at the group stage of the WC for only the second time (also in 2010). This was the first time Denmark suffered consecutive group stage defeats at the tournament.
Key stats from the Australia-Denmark fixture
Denmark controlled the ball for longer stretches, enjoying 69% possession and taking 13 shots with three on target. Australia had 31% possession and attempted eight shots with four on target.
France's Konate inks this record
As per Squawka, France centre-back Ibrahima Konate made more successful tackles than any other player in Group D at the 2022 World Cup. Notably, he attempted 13 tackles and succeeded at each of those.
Team records scripted by Tunisia
Tunisia conceded only one goal in their three games at the 2022 WC. It's the joint-fewest by an African team across a full group stage in the tournament, along with Cameroon (1982) and Morocco (1986). As per Squawka, Tunisia became the first side to beat France in a WC game since Germany in the 2014 quarter-final.
Tunisia stun France 1-0
After an initial effort was ruled out, Tunisia broke the deadlock in the second half. Khazri drove to the edge of the box and opened their account. France sprung back to life in the later stages, with close attempts from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, before a stoppage-time goal was ruled out by VAR. Despite a historic win, Tunisia failed to get through.
Key stats from the Tunisia-France fixture
France enjoyed more of the ball, clocking 66% possession and attempting 10 shots with three on target. Tunisia had 34% possession and took five shots, with three on target. France (86%) also made more accurate passes than Tunisia (78%).
