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Denmark, Tunisia Play to Scoreless Draw in World Cup Group D Opener

There were more corners (20) than at any match at the 2018 World Cup, but neither side was able to convert a chance.

Andrew Gastelum

Tunisia earned a massive point against Euro 2020 semifinalist Denmark in a 0–0 draw to open up Group D play. 

After notching two wins against France in the UEFA Nations League this year, Denmark entered the 2022 World Cup with its sights set on a deep run at a major tournament, but Tunisia had plans of its own. 

Tunisia was clearly the more energetic side to start the match, and in the 11th minute, it nearly struck an early goal when Mohamed Dräger’s shot took a massive deflection that just flew wide of the post as Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel stood and watched. 

In the 22nd minute, Denmark had its most dangerous chance yet with an out-swinging free kick from a dangerous position, but Christian Eriksen’s sharp cross was directed wide by Tunisia. For Eriksen, Tuesday’s game was the realization of his goal to return to the World Cup after having collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest on the field at the Euros. 

On the ensuing counterattack, Tunisia scored what appeared to be the opening goal, but Issam Jebali’s smooth finish was immediately flagged for offside. 

In the 33rd, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg sent a dangerous shot through a crowd from distance that challenged the Tunisia keeper, but the Spurs midfielder appeared to be too far from goal to open the scoring. 

Tunisia once again had a top chance, its fifth shot of the game, in the 39th minute when Aïssa Laïdouni pounced on a deflected corner and launched a shot that barely missed the near post. 

Jebali had the best chance of first half in the 41st minute when he took a pass and was through on goal—although possibly offside—but his chip was saved by a quick hand from Schmeichel.

Denmark seemed to take the lead in the 55th minute with its best chance of the match. Andreas Skov Olsen turned in a saved shot but the chance was called for offside as the goal was nullified. 

Denmark somehow didn’t score in the 70th minute despite a series of golden chances, starting with Eriksen’s shot that was pushed wide. On the corner, Andreas Christensen sent the ball across to Andreas Cornelius, but the striker’s touch hit the post as Tunisia survived the chance. 

Denmark continued to push forward while Tunisia threw most of its numbers back, and the defense held in a game that featured more corner kicks than any game at the 2018 World Cup.

Tunisia was dealt a scare in the 93rd minute when Jesper Lindstrøm sent a knuckling ball into the box that goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen managed to push away after a panic.

A minute later, Tunisia held its collective breath again after the referee was called to a VAR review on a potential handball in the box, but he emerged calling against a penalty.

Having come into the match widely expected to take three points, Denmark will feel the pressure in its second group game against defending World Cup champion France, while Tunisia will look to add more points against Group D minnow Australia. 

Here were the lineups for both teams:

Full World Cup Squads

Denmark

GOALKEEPERS: Oliver Christensen (Hertha Berlin), Frederik Rønnow (Union Berlin), Kasper Schmeichel (Nice)

DEFENDERS: Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace), Alexander Bah (Benfica), Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Simon Kjær (AC Milan), Rasmus Kristensen (Leeds United), Jens Stryger Larsen (Trabzonspor), Joakim Mæle (Atalanta), Victor Nelsson (Galatasaray), Daniel Wass (Brøndby)

MIDFIELDERS: Thomas Delaney (Sevilla), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Christian Nørgaard (Brentford), Robert Skov (Hoffenheim)

FORWARDS: Martin Braithwaite (Espanyol), Andreas Cornelius (Copenhagen), Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford), Kasper Dolberg (Sevilla), Jesper Lindstrøm (Eintracht Frankfurt), Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Brugge), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig), Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg)

COACH: Kasper Hjulmand

Tunisia

GOALKEEPERS: Aymen Dahmen (Club Sportif Sfaxien), Mouez Hassan (Club Africain), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile du Sahel), Bechir Ben Said (US Monastir)

DEFENDERS: Ali Abdi (Caen), Dylan Bronn (Salernitana), Mohamed Dräger (FC Luzern), Nader Ghandri (Club Africain), Bilel Ifa (Kuwait FC), Wajdi Kechrida (Atromitos), Ali Maâloul (Al Ahly), Yassine Meriah (Esperance), Montassar Talbi (Lorient)

MIDFIELDERS: Ghaylen Chaalali (Esperance), Aïssa Laïdouni (Ferencvaros), Hannibal Mejbri (Birmingham City), Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Esperance), Ferjani Sassi (Al-Duhail), Ellyes Skhiri (FC Cologne), Anis Ben Slimane (Brøndby)

FORWARDS: Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek), Issam Jebali (Odense), Wahbi Khazri (Montpellier), Youssef Msakni (Al Arabi SC), Naïm Sliti (Ettifaq), Taha Yassine Khenissi (Kuwait SC)

COACH: Jalel Kadri

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Andrew Gastelum
ANDREW GASTELUM

Andrew Gastelum is a programming editor and writer at Sports Illustrated who specializes in soccer, the Olympics and international sports. He joined the SI staff in March 2021 and previously contributed to Howler Magazine and NBC Sports. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame alum and is currently based in Italy.

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