Wahbi Khazri handed France their first World Cup defeat since 2014 but it was not enough to help Tunisia to book a place in the last 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Antoine Griezmann thought he had snatched a point for Les Bleus after coming off the bench before late VAR intervention cancelled his effort out.
France made nine changes to their starting line-up and looked completely rudderless for most of the game.
Khazri deservedly gave Tunisia the lead just before the hour mark. The 31-year-old dispossessed Youssouf Fofana in midfield before scoring his nation’s first and only goal at this year’s World Cup finals.
The lackadaisical holders were nearly caught out by a set piece inside the opening ten minutes before the linesman’s flag spared their blushes.
Eduardo Camavinga was deployed as a makeshift full-back by Deschamps and had a torrid time on the pitch.
Tunisia were more physical and won more duels in the middle of the park while France’s lack of chemistry and cohesion was apparent for everyone to see.
Despite their heroics, a win for Australia in their game against Denmark was enough to send the Socceroos into the knockout stages behind group winners France.
