As one in every of six French-born gamers within the Tunisian squad that debuted in opposition to defending champions France on the Education City Stadium on Wednesday night, 31-year-old Tunisian captain Vahbi Khajri’s solo run scored the 58th-minute winner in opposition to the defending champions. Make. The champions narrowly missed out on serving to the previous French colonial nation progress to the knock-outs.
The midfielder, who plies his commerce in Ligue 1, France’s top-tier league, was enjoying in his second World Cup and was anticipated to steer the small nation to the knockouts this time, after scoring two objectives and two assists within the 2018 version . A 1-0 Australian victory over Denmark meant Tunisia ended their World Cup marketing campaign but it surely was Khajri’s purpose that was the speak of the soccer world on Wednesday night.
“We are happy, we played well with the ball and were helpful in defence, a good team game. But disappointed not to be classified, we did not do what was needed in the first two games. We want to show a good face to the Tunisians. Happy to show up, they will be proud of us for a win against a team like the one in front of us. We are happy to beat the champions, we are proud of ourselves, but with a bitter taste, it would have been better if we had qualified,” Khajri mentioned after the match.
Born in Corsica to a father from Tunisia and a French mom, Khajri performed for France’s U-21 workforce earlier than he determined to play for Tunisia after receiving a call-up from Tunisia’s then-coach Sami Trabelsi. . The midfielder performed for the Carthage Eagles on the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. “I attempt to do properly and characterize Tunisia each weekend in France. Later on, I additionally obtained an opportunity to characterize Corsica, as a result of I used to be born there. I’ve so many flags on my shoulders, it is good. When individuals discuss me, I like to listen to, “Wahbi, Corsican, Wahbi Tunisian, I love to see the origins of it come to the fore. I am 100 percent Tunisian, 100 percent French and 100 percent Corsican. I’m not ashamed of it,” Khajri instructed BBC Africa earlier this 12 months.
second highest purpose scorer
The 31-year-old, who’s now Tunisia’s second highest purpose scorer with 25 objectives since making his debut in 2013, started his skilled profession with French membership Bastia FC. The midfielder revamped 150 appearances for the membership from 2009 to 2014 earlier than shifting to Bordeaux in 2014.
Wahbi Khajri is congratulated by teammates after scoring his workforce’s first purpose in opposition to France. (AP Photo)
Khajri then performed for English Premier League aspect Sunderland and scored his first Premier League purpose in opposition to Manchester United in 2016, earlier than returning to France once more to play for Stade Rennais FC. The Tunisian performed for French membership AS Saint-Étienne for 4 years earlier than becoming a member of Montpellier final 12 months, scoring 27 objectives in 114 appearances for the membership.Ahead of the World Cup, Khajri spoke about how everybody in Tunisia was watching the workforce’s conflict in opposition to France. “Being born in France and enjoying for Tunisia is particular – the 2 international locations are very shut and will probably be an thrilling time. Also enjoying within the French league, we all know there are lots of people to look at and we’re trying ahead to enjoying a number of the finest gamers on the earth. Going to play in opposition to, like Benzema, Mbappe and Griezmann. Against France, there might be no divided loyalties at dwelling as a result of everybody might be 100% Tunisian on my aspect. That’s what I wished within the draw. I hope it goes properly for us Will be,” Khajri had instructed the BBC.
Wahbi Khajri of Tunisia celebrates his aspect’s opening purpose in opposition to France throughout their World Cup Group D soccer match at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
In addition to enjoying in 5 Africa Cup of Nations, Khajri additionally performed on the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the place he scored one purpose every in opposition to Belgium and Panama, with the win in opposition to Panama being the second win for a North African aspect in World Cup historical past. Their first victory got here within the 1978 World Cup – 3–1 in opposition to Mexico.
Khajri is one in every of a choose group of Tunisian footballers to have performed in two World Cups. He described enjoying in his second World Cup as a particular feeling. “Already playing in a World Cup is a source of pride, so to play another … Also, we’re in the same group as France, it’s fantastic. All these years, I’ve had a lot of fun and I look forward to working with the selection.” Happy with what I’m doing. There’s loads of pleasure about it. Tunisia is the nation of soccer. Since the revolution in 2011, we predict individuals must expertise moments of pleasure, and soccer permits them to flee Knowing that we’re its guarantors, it is very important give every little thing,” Khajri instructed the Ligue 1 web site.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
