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DOHA. — Defending champions France have not won their three World Cup group-stage matches since winning their first title in 1998. 

Tunisia haven’t even won three matches in their World Cup history, but must beat France today at 5pm (Zimbabwean time) to have any chance of advancing to the round of 16 in Qatar. And Tunisia’s coach Jalel Kadri is feeling the heat. 

“I’m not in Jalel’s position,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “But they will go for broke.” 

Kadri said before the tournament it was his “personal mission” to advance past the group stage and hinted he would quit otherwise. 

The French are looking to match the ’98 team captained by Deschamps. But with Les Bleus already qualified, they only need a draw to guarantee top spot in Group D.

Deschamps has the luxury of resting key players. 

“There will be changes,” he said. “Everyone’s ready to play.” 

He was evasive when asked if the prolific Kylian Mbappé insisted on playing or accepts he needs a breather. 

“Physically he’s fine,” Deschamps said. “Kylian doesn’t have a big ego, he’s important for us and makes the difference. But he’s always accepted what the team needs.”

One option is to move Antoine Griezmann up from his new position in right midfield into a striker’s role alongside Olivier Giroud, who needs one more goal to become France’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals. 

Deschamps hailed the unselfishness of Griezmann, a prolific forward himself with 42 goals and 26 assists for France. 

“He gets as much pleasure tackling someone as setting up a goal,” Deschamps said. “He’s always been like that. For him it’s not even been a sacrifice (in midfield).” 

The gulf between the sides looks vast.

France have six goals in two games — three for Mbappé and two for Giroud — while Tunisia were blanked after drawing 0-0 with Denmark and fluffing chances in a 1-0 defeat against Australia.

The Tunisians have never been past the group stage in five World Cups and their two wins were 40 years apart: against Mexico in 1978 and Panama four years ago in Russia. Despite good technical ability, there appears little cutting edge to this Tunisia side, despite the presence of attacking midfielders Wahbi Khazri — who scored twice at the last World Cup and has 24 international goals — and Naim Sliti. — AP