Tunisia, Australia, Denmark… How did the preparation of the future opponents of the Blues end?

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Less than two months before the start of the World Cup, it’s time to take stock. In the same way as France, Australia, Denmark and Tunisia, who will find themselves in group D, have completed their preparation during this international window. The three future opponents of the Blues will put their suitcases in Qatar with the feeling of a rather accomplished year 2022, but with some reservations.

Evening ruined for Tunisia against Brazil

It was to be a gala match and it will above all have revealed that there were still a few nice steps to take before the highest international level. At the Parc des Princes on Tuesday evening, Tunisia were corrected by Brazil in what should have been a friendly match (5-1). Jalel Kadri’s men only managed to look Neymar and company in the eye for about twenty minutes.

After the equalizer of FC Lorient defender Montassar Talbi (16th), in response to the opener of Raphinha (11th), Tunisia sank, yielding to Richarlison (19th), Neymar on penalty (29th) then Raphinha again (40th). Led 4-1 at the break, the Tunisians also joined the locker room in numerical inferiority after the expulsion of Dylan Bronn, guilty of a gross foul on Neymar.

If they managed to stay in the game, causing some problems for the rearguard auriverde even at ten against eleven, the teammates of Wahbi Khazri finish their preparation, until then immaculate (7 games and no defeat since the CAN) , by a defeat that stains. Even beyond their shortcomings in the game, and in particular their approximate defensive alignment, the Eagles of Carthage above all gave the impression that they could be intoxicated by the prestige of a big meeting.

Australia end on a high note

All lights are green for the Socceroos. The Australians completed their preparation with two victories against New Zealand, their geographical rival, without conceding a goal. Graham Arnold’s men first won at home in Brisbane (1-0) on September 22, before winning in Auckland three days later (2-0). It was their first outing since the World Cup qualifier won on penalties against Peru in mid-June.

These two successes confirm the good form of the Australians. Undefeated in their last five meetings, the selection has not lost since the end of March, and a defeat against Saudi Arabia (1-0). The big downside of the year 2022 for the Socceroos is the low adversity offered by their opponents. They thus only faced two countries which will compete in the World Cup and lost both times, against Saudi Arabia therefore, but also against Japan (0-2), in March.

A big blow, but bitterness for Denmark

The results of the international break are mixed for the Danes. Obviously the prestigious success against the French world champion (2-0) promises the best to Kasper Hjulmand’s players. But the semi-finalists of the last Euro will also remember that they saw the qualifying ticket for the Final Four of the League of Nations slip away before their eyes, for a small point.

Blame it on the defeat suffered by Croatia (2-1) a few days earlier, which won the right to elbow with Spain, the Netherlands and Italy in June 2023. Christian’s team Eriksen will have lost a total of three times in 2022, including twice against the same Croatia (1-0, then 2-1), and in a friendly against the Netherlands (4-2). And on the other side of the scale, she will have shown her great tactical coherence, offering herself the scalp of the Blues twice, enough to take the psychological advantage before ending up in Qatar. Add to that, two victories against Austria (2-1, 2-0) and one against Serbia at the end of March (3-0).


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