Tunisia, Saudi Arabia Fight to 2-2 Draw

It wasn't the long-sought World Cup victory that Tunisia has been waiting for since 1978, but coach Roger Lemerre's side could be happy that they walked out of Munich with a point credited to their Group H account. They can thank substitute Rhadi Jaidi for this, after he headed home the equalizer in stoppage time, 10 minutes after Saudi Arabia had dramatically turned the match around in their favor.

The fans in Munich could be happy that the events turned so topsy-turvy in the final half-hour because they were subjected to soccer that truly lacked World Cup quality much of the first 60 minutes.

After one half of play, Tunisia was ahead thanks to a spectacular volley by Ziad Jaziri in the 23rd minute. The strike came thanks to a poor clearing attempt by Saudi defender Redha Tuker that rebounded off his team mate Hamad Al Montashari inside their own box. Jaziri was the beneficiary, turning onto his side to smash the ball past a helpless Mabrouk Zaid.

After falling behind, the Saudis seemed shell-shocked. Tunisia on the other hand seemed to think that one goal would suffice. By half-time, the game had degenerated into a comedy of errors that only the hardiest of soccer fans could tolerate.

Second-half surprises

Coming out to the second-half, Saudi coach Marcos Paqueta must have held an inspirational enough talk to get his players to turn the game around. Tunisia did nothing to stop it and paid the price in the 57th minute on the Saudis most impressive venture into the Tunisian end.

Mohammed Noor had received a pass from midfield on the right wing, quickly sliced it into the penalty box where striker Yasser Al Qahtani beat two defenders, and beautifully steered the ball into the top of the net from five meters out.

With the equalizer, the Saudis tipped the game in their favor. They played more passionately and the North Africans looked noticeably shook up.

Then, Paqueta brought his best player, Sami Al Jaber, into the match in the 82nd minute. Two minutes later, on his first touch, the veteran striker scored his 44th international goal after a beautiful one touch pass from Malek Al Hawsawi set him free towards Tunisian keeper Ali Boumnijel. Al Jaber gathered the ball and slotted it past Boumnijel to give Saudi Arabia the lead.

That seemed to have been all for Tunisia but in an injury-time flurry in the Saudi penalty box, Jaidi headed home the tying goal on a short cross from the right wing.