Panama and Tunisia battle each other for a historic World Cup win

Panama and Tunisia battle each other for a historic World Cup win

Panama vs Tunisia – Thursday, June 28, 19:00BST/20:00CEST/21:00 MSK – Volgograd Arena, Volgograd, Russia

Panama vs Tunisia will take place at the Volgograd Arena (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

Panama vs Tunisia will take place at the Volgograd Arena (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

The World Cup will say goodbye to two likeable underdogs at the end of the group stage. Both Panama and Tunisia failed to upset the apple-cart against the big boys from England and Belgium.

Belgium dismantled Tunisia on matchday 3 going down 5-2. It was a long-drop in performance from the first match in which they kept the pace with England for much of the 90 minutes. But trying to open up and playing attacking football proved to be a disaster for Les Aigles de Carthage. 

As a result, Tunisia will continue to wait for their first World Cup win since recording a 3-1 win over Mexico on matchday 1 of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. Now, 40-years later Tunisia have high hopes that that first World Cup win could arrive against Panama.

Panama, in the meantime, have never previously participated at the World Cup and will, therefore also look for their first ever win on Thursday. Panamanians, in fact, frantically celebrated their first ever World Cup goal despite losing the match 6-1 to England.

Goalscorer Felipe Baloy made history by becoming the fourth oldest goalscorer at a World Cup. Aged 37 and 120 days Baloy is more than five years younger than record-holder Roger Milla – he was 42 years and 39 days old when he scored at World Cup 1994.

“We lost, but it was a historic goal. We all deserve some credit”, head coach Hernan Gomez later said. Now Panama and Tunisia will battle in the final match to collect a historic World Cup victory.

Panama vs Tunisia – Players to look out for:

Román Torres #5 – Panama (Seattle Sounders)

Every debut country at a World Cup needs their hero, and in their 32-year-old centre back Panama have theirs. Torres fired in their winner against Costa Rica in the dying moments of their final qualification game, whether he can keep a considerably younger forward line in check at a major tournament though remains to be seen.

Roman Torres of Panama confronts referee Janny Sikazwe during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Belgium and Panama at Fisht Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Roman Torres of Panama confronts referee Janny Sikazwe during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Belgium and Panama at Fisht Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Naïm Sliti #23 – Tunisia (FCO Dijon)

The 25-year-old will hope to pick up against Belgium where he left off against England – the winger was one of the Carthage Eagles standout performers in their opening group game, despite the result. With seven goals and six assists in last season’s Ligue 1, the winger can find the net or set up one of his teammates.  Adept in front of goal he also possesses the skill to drive at opposition defences with pace – drop off though and you open the door for him to unleash a shot from a distance, a back four’s nightmare.

Naïm Sliti will try to leave an impression at the 2018 FIFA World Cup (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Naïm Sliti will try to leave an impression at the 2018 FIFA World Cup (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Panama vs Tunisia – Match Stats

  • Panama and Tunisia will face each other for the first time.
  • Tunisia have only once faced a team from Concacaf. In 1978 Les Aigles de Carthage faced Mexico and beat El Tri 3-1.
  • Panama have already conceded 13 goals at this tournament – despite only allowing nine shots on goal.

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Panama vs Tunisia – 2-3

Panama vs Tunisia – Lineups

Panama:

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Penedo – Murillo, Torres, Escobar, Davis – Gómez – Bárcenas, Cooper, Godoy, Rodriguez – Perez

Head Coach: Hernan Gomez

Tunisia:

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Ben Mustapha – Bronn, S. Ben Youssef, Meriah, Maaloul – Skhiri – F. Ben Youssef, Sassi, Badri, Sliti – Khazri.

Head Coach: Nabil Maaloul

Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and among others works for the Bundesliga and Pro Soccer USA. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which is available HERE. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth.

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