Sunderland striker Khazri gives Tunisia victory over Libya

Sunderland’s striker Wahbi Khazri scored a penalty in the second half as Tunisia beat 10-man Libya 1-0 in a 2018 World qualifier in Algiers on Friday night.

The victory takes Tunisia to the top of Group A with two victories from two group games, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea who meet on Saturday. Libya are bottom with two consecutive defeats.

Following a largely uneventful first-half, the game opened up in the second stanza as both sides looked to get the vital three points.

In the 50th minute, Libya’s Ali Salama gave away the foul in his own penalty area, and with it also his second booking of the game to see his team playing a man short.

The Ajaccio forward Khazri converted the spot-kick even though Libya keeper Muhammad Nashnoush had dived the right way.

Even though they were playing with 10 men, the Mediterranean Knights still pinned their opponents back but Tunisia eventually held on to record a vital win.

Only the top team from the five groups in Africa will qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

African qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup Result & fixtures

Friday, 11 November
Libya v Tunisia 0-1