Tunisia tops Panama 2-1 for first World Cup win in 40 years

The Associated Press
The Associated Press

SARANSK, Russia (AP) — Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazri set up a second-half goal and then scored one of his own to help his side secure its first victory in a World Cup in four decades.

The striker’s hard, rising shot in the 66th minute lifted Tunisia to a 2-1 triumph over Panama on Thursday night. It came 15 minutes after Khazri’s pinpoint square pass produced Fakhreddine Ben Youssef’s equalizer.

Panama had taken the lead in the 33rd minute through an own-goal when Jose Luis Rodriguez’s hard shot deflected off of Yassine Meriah, which sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Tunisia hadn’t won a World Cup game since a 3-1 victory over Mexico in 1978.

Both Group G teams were already eliminated going into the match.

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More AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/WorldCup

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