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PANAMA VS TUNISIA

World Cup 2018: Panama vs Tunisia team news, prediction and preview for Group G dead rubber

With Panama and Tunisia point-less in Russia, there is only reputation to save

REPUTATION is the only reward in Saransk.

With Tunisia and Panama point-less in Group G, both teams are heading home after their final game on Thursday.

 Roman Torres and Panama may just have one more World Cup shock in them
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Roman Torres and Panama may just have one more World Cup shock in themCredit: Getty - Contributor

And so making a mark on the world's stage is all that's left on the table.
Victory will give Tunisia, who've never progressed from the groups, only their second ever World Cup win.

Not since Argentina '78 has the North African nation won a game at the finals.

Panama, meanwhile, are searching for their first-ever win at their first-ever World Cup.

 Tunisia's danger man Wahbi Khazri has been unable to lead his nation to a win as yet
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Tunisia's danger man Wahbi Khazri has been unable to lead his nation to a win as yetCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Panama prevented the United States from reaching Russia
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Panama prevented the United States from reaching RussiaCredit: Getty - Contributor

After preventing USA from reaching Russia, Panama may just have one more shock in them before heading home.

Best bet

Roman Torres, the man whose goal took Panama to their first World Cup, will be keen to leave his mark in Russia, and are offering odds of 150/1 for him to score the only goal in a 1-0 win.

Opta stats 

This will be the first ever meeting between Panama and Tunisia.

Tunisia have previously faced just one CONCACAF side at a World Cup finals, winning 3-1 against Mexico in 1978 – their first ever World Cup match.


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Panama have conceded nine goals from 13 shots on target faced so far at the World Cup.

Tunisia are winless in their last 13 World Cup matches (W0 D4 L9) since winning their first ever World Cup match in 1978 against Mexico.

The last time a nation lost each of their first three ever World Cup games – as Panama could do – was in 2006, with both Togo and Serbia doing so.

Tunisia have already conceded more goals at this World Cup (7) than they did in any of their previous four tournaments; their previous high was six conceded in 2006.

England fans surf moving bus to celebrate beating Panama at World Cup 2018

Tunisia’s only ever World Cup victory came in their only previous match against a CONCACAF nation – beating Mexico 3-1 in 1978.

Tunisia faced 12 shots on target in their 5-2 defeat to Belgium, the most they’ve ever faced in a World Cup game.

In their last game against England, Panama’s Felipe Baloy scored his country’s first ever World Cup goal, at the age of 37 years and 120 days.

No player has been involved in more World Cup goals for Tunisia than Wahbi Khazri (2), who both scored and assisted in their 5-2 defeat against Belgium.

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