Defending champion France won its World Cup group despite losing to Tunisia 1-0 on November 30 (Wednesday). Wahbi Khazri scored in the 58th minute to give the Tunisians the victory, but it wasn't enough to get them into the round of 16. Australia beat Denmark 1-0 in other Group D game and finished second on goal difference.
With France already qualified for the knockout stage, coach Didier Deschamps rested Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and most of his regular starters. Only four of the team lining up at the beginning had even started a World Cup match before. But Khazri's goal prompted Deschamps to bring on Mbappé and Griezmann and the increased urgency almost led to an equalizer.
Griezmann thought he had evened the score in the eighth minute of stoppage time but he was ruled offside following a video review. So what exactly went behind the goal being disallowed?
It was during the 98th minute hen Aurelien Tchouameni swung the ball into the box from the left flank looking for a teammate's head. When the ball was delivered into the area, Griezmann was clearly offside. But, France forward made absolutely no attempt to play the ball or even challenge a Tunisian player.
Montassar Talbi got to Tchouameni's cross and tried to head to clear the ball from the danger area but could only manage to put the ball on Griezmann's foot, who obliged and scored. France's players celebrated as everyone thought it was a goal and the game would end in a tie. However, the referee received a communication from VAR officials, who prompted him to take a look at the replay at the pitchside monitor. After watching the replay, the referee deemed it offside.
The referee jumped to the conclusion that Griezmann, who was initially offside, was an obstacle for Tunisian players. Hence, the goal was ruled offside.
(With agency inputs)
