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A team that qualified without conceding a single goal. Nine wins in ten matches. Thirteen points clear of second place.
That same team arrived at the World Cup and conceded 12 goals in three matches. They conceded within the first seven minutes of every single game. They scored two own goals. They sacked their manager after one match.
This is the story of Tunisia’s spectacular collapse — a collapse that was, in many ways, written before the tournament even began.
Tunisia made easy work of qualifying, becoming the first team in history to reach a World Cup without conceding a goal. Placed in Group ‘H’ alongside Namibia, Liberia, Malawi, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe, their only setback was a goalless draw against Namibia. They finished 13 points clear of second place.
