2021 Afcon Qualifiers: Tunisia defeat Libya in seven-goal thriller

Tunisia secured a 5-2 win over Libya in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group J match at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi on Thursday night.

The win saw the Carthage Eagles extend their lead to four points at the top of the group standings having already qualified for the finals, while the fourth-placed the Mediterranean Knights have been eliminated.

Libya took a surprise lead against Tunisia when Muaid Ellafi scored with a header 21 minutes into the encounter with the Carthage Eagles' defence exposed.

However, the Carthage Eagles pilled pressure on the Mediterranean Knights and they did level matters through Ellyes Skhiri, who scored six minutes before halftime.

Tunisia then pushed for their second goal of the match, but Libya stood firm at the back and the score was 1-1 during the halftime break.

An entertaining second-half followed as the Carthage Eagle grabbed two quick goals with Naim Sliti setting up Seifeddine Jaziri, who scored to make it 2-1 to Tunisia in the 48th minute.

Mohamed Drager then put his name on the scoresheet when the 24-year-old defender hit the back of the net to hand Tunisia a 3-1 lead with Saif-Eddine Khaoui grabbing the assist.

However, Libya's star player Ellafi pulled one back for his side making it 3-2 when he beat Tunisia goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha in the 54th minute.

The momentum was with Tunisia in the latter stages of the game and they grabbed two late goals with second-half substitute Anis Ben Slimane scoring with six minutes left to make it 4-2 to Tunisia.

Tunisia's 5-2 victory was sealed by Jaziri as the Zamalek forward completed his brace by beating Libya goalkeeper Ahmed Azzaqah in stoppage time with the Libya defence exposed.