Tunisia came back from a goal down to exit the World Cup with some pride and a 2-1 victory over Panama, their first in 40 years.
Both sides were already eliminated and had only pride to play for in the final group game, so made big changes with Tunisia using their third goalkeeper of the tournament.
Panama were in their first ever World Cup and took the lead in chaotic circumstances. Roman Torres saw his shot blocked, Jose Luis Rodriguez’s follow-up then ricocheted in off Yassine Meriah to wrong-foot Aymen Mathlouthi.
Tunisia came back from a goal down to exit the World Cup with some pride and a 2-1 victory over Panama, their first in 40 years.
Both sides were already eliminated and had only pride to play for in the final group game, so made big changes with Tunisia using their third goalkeeper of the tournament.
Panama were in their first ever World Cup and took the lead in chaotic circumstances. Roman Torres saw his shot blocked, Jose Luis Rodriguez’s follow-up then ricocheted in off Yassine Meriah to wrong-foot Aymen Mathlouthi.
Tunisia drew level when Fakhreddine Ben Youssef met a low cross from Wahbi Khazri from close range.
The game was nearly turned around completely moments later, but Ben Youssef this time saw his finish turned off target by the goalkeeper’s out-stretched foot. Roman Torres picked up an injury during that move.
The comeback was completed thanks to Wahbi Khazri adding a goal to his assist, this time meeting the Oussama Haddadi pull-back from the left.
Naim Sliti had penalty appeals waved away, but the VAR protocol was not respected on 73 minutes. The referee halted play for a Luis Tejada push before he blasted the ball into the top corner, so VAR was not available to view the incident again.
Panama 1-2 Tunisia
Meriah og 33 (P), F Ben Youssef 51 (T), Khazri 66 (T)
Panama: Penedo; Machado, R Torres (Tejada 56), Escobar, Ovalle; Barcenas, Godoy, Gomez, Avila (Arroyo 81), J Rodriguez; G Torres (Cummings 46)
Tunisia: Mathlouthi; Naguez, Bedoui, Meriah, Haddadi; Sassi (Badri 46), Shkiri, Chaaleli; F Ben Youssef, Khazri (Srarfi 89), Sliti (Khalil 77)
Ref: Shukralla (BHR)