TUNISIA WORLD CUP HISTORY

Other than qualifying for the second round, Tunisia could not have asked for a better World Cup debut in 1978. The North Africans stunned Mexico, 3-1, in their very first match, dropped a 1-0 decision to Poland and played West Germany to a scoreless tie. It wasn't enough to advance, but it was quite a start. The less said about the next two tournaments, the better. At France '98, the Tunisians wound up 0-2-1, losing to England, 2-0, and Colombia, 1-0, before tying Romania, 1-1. In Japan in 2002, it was more of the same. Les Aigles de Carthage (The Eagles of Carthage) lost to Russia, 2-0, played Belgium to a 1-1 draw, and were beaten by Japan, 2-0. Tunisia is winless in its last eight World Cup matches.