France had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the final minute of stoppage-time as Tunisia held on to register a shock victory.
However, despite victory they failed to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup.
Substitute Antoine Griezmann volleyed in a dramatic equaliser at the Education City Stadium, but the VAR decision meant Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi's brilliant second-half goal proved to be the winner.
However, with Australia recording a1-0 victory over Denmarkin the other match in Group D, Tunisia's hopes of progressing had been dashed before Griezmann's goal was ruled out.
"It's mixed feelings because we're happy to beat a team like France," said Tunisia manager Jalel Kadri.
"We can be proud and leave with our head high, but it is a bitter victory.
"It would have been beautiful to beat France and reach the last 16. It is our fault for not doing what we needed to do before."
France are through to the last 16 as group winners having already secured qualification with victory over Denmark in the last game.
Despite their failure to progress, Tunisia captain Khazi produced the moment fans had been waiting for - a goal at this World Cup - when he drove to the edge of the box and coolly rolled it into the bottom right corner.
There was an outpouring of emotion from a large following of Tunisia fans at the stadium, while Tunisian substitutes sprinted onto the pitch in a moment of pure elation.
But their celebrations were shortlived when news of Australia's lead began to ripple through the stadium, with supporters checking their phones for updates from the other match in Group D.
France, who were much-changed from their2-1 win over Denmarkhaving already qualified as group winners, lacked quality in a disappointing performance.
Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid's Griezmann were brought on later in the second half to try and find a way back into the game.
They had an impact despite loud jeers and whistling from Tunisia fans keen to put them off and Griezmann almost provided the goal they craved.
Didier Deschamps' will face Group C runners-up Poland in the last 16 on Sunday, 4 December (15:00 GMT).
Tunisia's wait to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time continues as they exit the competition.
Dramatic evening as Tunisia hopes dashed
Tunisia knew they needed to win the game to stand any chance of progressing and they started with plenty of intent.
Goalscorer Khazri was a threat, while France defender Eduardo Camavinga was often overloaded out wide and needed support from Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
The support for Tunisia far outweighed France and that majority were given a brief outpouring of celebration when Nader Ghandri's volley flew past goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, only to be ruled out for offside.
As the first half wore on, Tunisia fans' impatience started to show - though their support remained relentless - as chance after chance came, but goalkeeper Mandanda did not look like conceding.
Then a magical moment from Khazri opened up space for himself on the edge of the box and his low, precise strike beat Mandanga in the bottom corner.
Tunisia fans were full of hope - they were heading into the last 16 as things stood - but two minutes later, Australia's goal meant it was taken out of their hands.
"I said nothing is impossible. We have been able to win over the world champions," added Kadri.
"We have been able to prove our efficiency and we did our best. We worked as a team. It wasn't easy for us to get these four points [in the group stage] but we leave with a lot of honour and pride."
Deschamps did not waste too much time in the second half to bring on Mbappe and Griezmann and from then on, France were on the front foot.
Tunisia clung on following a series of corners late on, but Griezmann eventually found the back of the net via a deflection.
However, France's celebrations quickly turned to frustration when the referee went to the pitchside monitor to view VAR and the goal was ruled out.
Player of the match
Ben SlimaneAnis Ben Slimane
with an average of8.89
Tunisia
Squad number25Player nameBen Slimane
Average rating
8.89
Squad number10Player nameKhazri
Average rating
8.83
Squad number14Player nameLaïdouni
Average rating
8.72
Squad number21Player nameKechrida
Average rating
8.40
Squad number15Player nameBen Romdhane
Average rating
8.39
Squad number18Player nameChaalali
Average rating
8.27
Squad number24Player nameAbdi
Average rating
8.21
Squad number12Player nameMaâloul
Average rating
8.12
Squad number3Player nameTalbi
Average rating
8.10
Squad number17Player nameSkhiri
Average rating
8.02
Squad number5Player nameGhandri
Average rating
7.95
Squad number4Player nameMeriah
Average rating
7.86
Squad number9Player nameJebali
Average rating
7.72
Squad number16Player nameDahmen
Average rating
7.52
France
Squad number17Player nameSaliba
Average rating
5.79
Squad number7Player nameGriezmann
Average rating
5.10
Squad number10Player nameMbappé
Average rating
4.88
Squad number24Player nameKonaté
Average rating
4.83
Squad number11Player nameDembélé
Average rating
4.82
Squad number14Player nameRabiot
Average rating
4.70
Squad number8Player nameTchouaméni
Average rating
4.38
Squad number25Player nameCamavinga
Average rating
4.12
Squad number4Player nameVarane
Average rating
4.02
Squad number20Player nameComan
Average rating
4.00
Squad number3Player nameDisasi
Average rating
3.85
Squad number13Player nameFofana
Average rating
3.80
Squad number12Player nameKolo Muani
Average rating
3.71
Squad number16Player nameMandanda
Average rating
3.66
Squad number15Player nameVeretout
Average rating
3.54
Squad number6Player nameGuendouzi
Average rating
3.44
Line-ups
Tunisia
Formation3-4-2-1
16Dahmen
4Meriah5Ghandri3Talbi
21Kechrida17Skhiri14Laïdouni12Maâloul
25Ben Slimane15Ben Romdhane
10Khazri
16Dahmen
4Meriah
5Ghandri
3Talbi
21KechridaBooked at 28mins
17Skhiri
14Laïdouni
12Maâloul
25Ben SlimaneSubstituted forAbdiat83'minutes
15Ben RomdhaneSubstituted forChaalaliat74'minutes
10KhazriSubstituted forJebaliat60'minutes
Substitutes
1Mathlouthi
2Ifa
6Bronn
7Msakni
8Mejbri
9Jebali
11Khenissi
13Sassi
18Chaalali
19Jaziri
20Dräger
22Ben Saïd
23Sliti
24Abdi
26Hassen
France
Formation4-3-3
16Mandanda
3Disasi4Varane24Konaté25Camavinga
13Fofana8Tchouaméni15Veretout
20Coman12Kolo Muani6Guendouzi
16Mandanda
3Disasi
4VaraneSubstituted forSalibaat63'minutes
24Konaté
25Camavinga
13FofanaSubstituted forGriezmannat73'minutes
8Tchouaméni
15VeretoutSubstituted forRabiotat63'minutes
20ComanSubstituted forMbappéat63'minutes
12Kolo Muani
6GuendouziSubstituted forDembéléat79'minutes
Substitutes
1Lloris
2Pavard
5Koundé
7Griezmann
9Giroud
10Mbappé
11Dembélé
14Rabiot
17Saliba
18Upamecano
22Hernández
23Aréola
26Thuram
Referee:
Matthew Conger
Attendance:
43,627
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Tunisia 1, France 0.
Second Half ends, Tunisia 1, France 0.
VAR Decision: No Goal Tunisia 1-0 France.
GOAL OVERTURNED BY VAR: Antoine Griezmann (France) scores but the goal is ruled out after a VAR review.
Offside, France. Aurélien Tchouaméni tries a through ball, but Antoine Griezmann is caught offside.
Corner, France. Conceded by Yassine Meriah.
Eduardo Camavinga (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Issam Jebali (Tunisia).
Corner, France. Conceded by Wajdi Kechrida.
Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from long range on the left is saved in the bottom right corner.
Attempt blocked. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Kylian Mbappé (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ghaylen Chaalali (Tunisia).
Corner, France. Conceded by Nader Ghandri.
Attempt blocked. Randal Kolo Muani (France) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann.
Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Eduardo Camavinga.
Ibrahima Konaté (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Issam Jebali (Tunisia).
Attempt missed. Adrien Rabiot (France) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ousmane Dembélé with a cross.
Substitution, Tunisia. Ali Abdi replaces Anis Ben Slimane.
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