World Cup heartbreak for Burnley's Hannibal as Tunisia suffer another heavy defeat

Burnley’s Hannibal is set for an early return from the World Cup after Tunisia’s miserable tournament continued with another heavy defeat.

After suffering an opening group game 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Sweden, Tunisia suffered another heavy defeat overnight with a 4-0 reversal to Japan.

It means they can no longer qualify from Group F, giving them little to play for other than personal pride during their final game against the Netherlands on Friday.

Hannibal was Tunisia’s only standout performer against Sweden, but once again there was little the midfielder could do as he played the full 90 minutes against Japan in Monterrey, Mexico.

Frenchman Hervé Renard took charge of his first game from the dugout after Tunisia’s chaotic decision to sack their old boss Sabri Lamouchi one game into the tournament.

Elsewhere at the World Cup, Shurandy Sambo’s Curacao secured a historic first ever point by holding Ecuador to a goalless draw.

Eloy Room, the 37-year-old goalkeeper, was their hero with an incredible 15 saves, as the nation with the smallest population ever to make it to a finals broke their duck.

Sambo, as he was in the first game against Germany, remained an unused substitute.

The defender spent last season on loan with Sparta Rotterdam but remains under contract with the Clarets until 2028.