Denmark, Tunisia tie produce first barren draw

After seeing at least two goals per game since the opening match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, a goalless draw was recorded in Tuesday’s Group D match between Tunisia and Denmark.

Carthage Eagles, seen as the ‘weakest’ team in Africa at the World Cup, gave a great account of themselves against the Danes at the Education City Stadium.

Even with the goalless draw, Tunisia will be proud of themselves as it was only their second clean sheet in six world matches.

The first time was achieved in 1978 against West Germany.

First Middle

It was the Danes who scored first, but Tunisia’s reliable defense saved well from a corner kick in the second minute.

Christian Eriksen then sends a corner kick into the Tunisian area, but Tunisian midfielder Laidouni Aissa is cleared.

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Tunisia then continued to push the Danes away with the confident playing style of their players.

In the 11th minute, Tunisia made an attempt when Drager’s shot was deflected for a corner by Andreas Kristensen.

The corner, however, went out after Mskini’s low shot.

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The Carthage Eagles could have scored the opening goal after Issam Jebaili fouled goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichels in the 21st minute, but the assistant referee ruled it offside.

Another Eagles effort was pushed away by Laidouni slicing his way past the Danish defenders, but his final touch was deflected wide in the 37th minute.

Tunisia continued to squander the chances that came their way as Jabaili and Ladoun went close in quick succession.

Second Half

Tunisia started the second half impressively, but failed to maximize their counterattacks against the Danes.

Denmark thought they had gone ahead in the 56th minute, but Andreas Olsen’s goal was ruled out after the winger was initially tackled in an offside position.

In the last 20 minutes both sides tried more attempts for what could be the only goal of the game.

Eriksen’s corner in the 70th minute was met by Christensen’s header before Andreas Cornelius stretched his feet to meet the crossbar.

However, the Tunisians would have been stunned by what could have been a last-minute goal after VAR overturned Denmark’s penalty appeal after Eriksen’s cross hit Meriah’s hands in the 95th minute.

With Tunisia holding on to a barren draw, they became the first African team to pick up a point in Qatar after losing to Senegal on Monday.