Tunisia held Denmark to a goalless draw of their World Cup opener on Tuesday, kicking off their Group D marketing campaign with a powerful efficiency towards one of many pre-tournament darkish horses. Tunisia have by no means reached the World Cup knockouts in 5 earlier makes an attempt however Jalel Kadri’s facet might be inspired each with some extent at Training Metropolis Stadium and with how they carried out towards the fancied Danes. Since Kadri took cost of the staff in January Tunisia have solely misplaced to Brazil they usually pissed off Denmark in entrance of hundreds of noisy North Africans.
Christian Eriksen was largely nameless on his return to main event soccer after practically dying on the pitch on the European Championship final 12 months, wilting within the face of ferocious defending.
Denmark had come into the match as favourites however Tunisia tore into their extra illustrious opponents from kick-off, flying into tackles.
The massed ranks of Tunisians within the stands created a crackling environment they usually cheered each deal with and clearance.
The African facet practically took the lead within the eleventh minute, with Mohamed Drager’s long-range effort clipping off Andreas Christensen and drifting simply large.
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The Danes started to get a foothold within the recreation however talisman Eriksen struggled to shake off the attentions of Tunisia’s well-organised backline, and though they acquired into harmful positions any assaults have been comfortably snuffed out.
The Tunisians got here closest to taking the lead within the opening interval, Copenhagen-born Anis Ben Slimane straying offside earlier than slotting previous Kasper Schmeichel, who then made positive the scores have been stage on the break with a beautiful cease.
Issam Jebali managed to interrupt via onto Youssef Msakni’s good go however his dinked end was brilliantly tipped away by the onrushing Schmeichel.
Tunisia stored up the depth nevertheless it was Denmark who had the 2 finest possibilities of a good second half.
Eriksen was denied what would have been a advantageous objective by Aymen Dahmen’s fingertip save within the 69th minute and from the following nook substitute Andreas Cornelius one way or the other headed onto the submit from shut vary.
That will have in all probability gained the match for Denmark as Tunisia did not match their bodily efforts with a lot actual creativity.
After surviving a late penalty scare they celebrated a valuable and surprising level with their passionate supporters.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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