Ronald Koeman’s side finishes first in the group after a convincing win, while Tunisia exits the World Cup without a point
Netherlands secured top spot in FIFA World Cup Group F with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia national football team on Thursday, setting up a Round of 32 clash against Morocco national football team.
The Dutch side, coached by Ronald Koeman, took control early at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The victory earned the Netherlands seven points from three matches and helped them avoid a meeting with Brazil national football team in the knockout stage.
The opening goal arrived in the third minute when Tunisian midfielder Ellyes Skhiri turned Denzel Dumfries’s cross into his own net.
Just four minutes later, Brian Brobbey doubled the lead with a close-range finish after Virgil van Dijk headed the ball across goal from a free-kick delivered by Tijjani Reijnders.
Tunisia responded after the break when Hazem Mastouri headed home from a corner taken by Hannibal Mejbri in the 54th minute.
The Netherlands restored their two-goal advantage shortly afterwards. Defender Jan Paul van Hecke scored with a header from another Reijnders corner, with the ball taking a deflection before crossing the line.
The result secured first place in Group F, edging out Japan national football team, who drew 1-1 with Sweden national football team. Japan finished second, while Sweden progressed as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Tunisia ended a disappointing campaign without earning a point. The team conceded 12 goals across three matches despite qualifying for the tournament without allowing a single goal.
Veteran coach Hervé Renard took charge last week after Sabri Lamouchi departed following Tunisia’s heavy opening defeat. However, he could not reverse the team’s fortunes before its World Cup exit.
The Netherlands will now face Morocco in Monterrey on Monday, with a place in the Round of 16 at stake.
