Belgium 1 Tunisia 1
Belgium are still in with a chance of reaching the second round of the World Cup after drawing 1-1 with Tunisia here today but their opponents have only the faintest hope of going through.
Belgium took the lead after 13 minutes when captain Marc Wilmots volleyed a headed knockdown past Tunisian keeper Ali Boumnijel.
The Tunisians, looking a vastly improved side from the one that lost 2-0 to Russia last week, pulled level in spectacular style just four minutes later when Raouf Bouzaiene scored from a curling left-footed free kick.
Bouzaine's strike came just after his team had the ball in the net from Slim Ben Achour's thundering shot. That effort was disallowed however because referee Mark Shield had already whistled for the free-kick.
In the dying minutes of the match, Belgian goalkeeper Geert De Vlieger had to beat away a potentially match-winning shot from Kaies Ghodhbane, while substitute Wesley Sonck poked a shot wide at the other end seconds later.
Belgium now need to defeat Russia on Friday to be sure of going through, while Tunisia are on a single point and have the huge task of beating tournament co-hosts Japan by three goals to qualify on goal difference.
The match divided into an entertaining first half followed by a largely sterile 45 minutes before the final flourish at the impressive Big Eye Stadium.
Shortly after Bouzaiene's goal, Ziad Jaziri came close to giving the Tunisians the lead but just failed to get his foot to a cross.
And at the other end, Bart Goor lifted the ball over the crossbar from close range when played in by Peter Van Der Heyden.
And the impressive Hatem Trabelsi's cross from the byline just needed a touch to turn it into a goal.
Trabelsi was again the provider when Kaies Ghodhbane's well-hit volley flew just wide just after the restart.
Belgium took advantage of their towering strikers by floating in a succession of crosses but none produced the winner.
Belgian coach Robert Waseige brought on Mbo Mpenza as a second-half substitute in a bid to inject some urgency but Tunisia had the best of the last 10 minutes.
AFP