Tunisia leave it late to overcome Malawi in 2026 World Cup qualifier

Tunisia secured a crucial 2-0 victory over a resilient Malawi side, tightening their grip on the top spot in Group H of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers.

Seifeddine Jaziri came off the bench to break Malawi’s resistance with a header in the 86th minute, before Elias Achouri sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty.

The Carthage Eagles struggled for much of the match against a well-organised Malawi defence and required late interventions to secure all three points.

Jaziri, introduced in the 78th minute by Tunisia head coach Sami Trabelsi, needed just eight minutes to make an impact, meeting a cross to beat goalkeeper William Thole, who had been exceptional throughout the match.

Achouri’s penalty in the 92nd minute ensured the result was beyond doubt after Malawi, desperate to salvage a point, conceded a foul in the box.

There was still late drama, however, as Malawi were awarded a penalty deep into added time. But Tunisia’s goalkeeper, Aymen Dahmen, guessed correctly to deny Richard Mbulu from the spot.

With the win, Tunisia now sit on 13 points from five matches, four points clear of second-placed Namibia, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea earlier in the day.