Tunisia's Six-Goal Spree Seals a World Cup Ticket: Dominance Kept, Drama Absent
10 October 2025
Tunisia’s six-goal onslaught confirms World Cup berth
Tunisia delivered a dominant 6-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe in the ninth round of Africa’s qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a win that effectively sealed their spot at the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Under the guidance of coach Sami Trabelsi, the team approached the match with confidence after already securing formal qualification in the previous round, yet they still produced an attacking display that entertained and overwhelmed their visitors.
Starting XI
The lineup featured Aymen Dahman in goal, Yassine Meriah and Montasser Talbi in central defense, with Yan Valery at right-back. The midfield trio included Ilias Sghiri, Mohamed Hajj Mahmoud, and Ilias Saad, with Ismail Al-Gharbi orchestrating play behind Firas Shwat in attack.
In the first half-hour, Tunisia pressed with intent, but the opener arrived in the 36th minute when Firas Shwat converted a precise pass from Yan Valery, energizing the crowd and lifting the tempo for the hosts.
Just three minutes later, Ilias Saad doubled the lead with a powerful strike, and in the 44th minute he added a second to push the score to 3-0 before the break, signaling a collapse of Sao Tome’s defense in a rapid eight-minute spell.
The second half began with Ismail Al-Gharbi extending the margin in the 47th minute, recording his first international goal as a finished move finished at the far post after a rebound from the goalkeeper.
The visitors were reduced to ten men in the dying minutes of the match as a penalty was awarded and converted by Mohammed Ali Ben Ramadan in the 68th minute for his spot-kick, sealing his and Tunisia’s fifth goal. The captain then added a late six, capsizing Sao Tome’s hopes and capping a night of clinical finishing.
Beyond the scoreline, the result reinforced Tunisia’s leadership in the group and spotlighted the team’s defensive solidity, having conceded only once across nine qualifiers so far this campaign.
Coach Trabelsi emphasized that even with qualification secured, the team would not ease off, aiming to maintain high standards and prepare for Africa’s upcoming continental tournament, while experimenting with newer players for strategic depth.
In the broader context, the performance reinforced Tunisia’s status as a force within African qualifying rounds and hinted at more ambitious plans for the World Cup finals later this year. The tactical discipline, combined with varying attacking options, leaves fans optimistic about what lies ahead for the “Carthage Eagles.”
Punchline time: If goals were a language, Tunisia just gave Sao Tome a masterclass in communication—loud, clear, and definitely with subtitles. Punchline 2: The referee might need a bigger whistle—the way Tunisia attacked, even the goalposts were filing complaints about the traffic."
