The Netherlands sealed top spot in Group F with a comfortable 3-1 win over Tunisia on Thursday, setting up a Round of 32 clash against Morocco at the FIFA World Cup.Ronald Koeman’s side finished ahead of Japan, who were held to a draw by Sweden earlier in the day. The result meant the Dutch advanced as group winners, while Japan will face tournament favourites Brazil in the knockout stage.The Netherlands made the perfect start in rainy conditions at Kansas City Stadium, taking the lead within two minutes. Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri accidentally turned Denzel Dumfries’ cross into his own net while trying to stop Brian Brobbey from getting on the end of it.Five minutes later, Brobbey doubled the lead with a close-range finish after Virgil van Dijk headed a free-kick back across goal. It was the striker’s third goal of the tournament.The early blitz also created history, with the Netherlands scoring twice inside the opening seven minutes of a World Cup match for the first time.Tunisia, who had already been eliminated after losing their first two matches and changing coaches during the tournament, struggled to respond. Ismael Gharbi had an early chance before the Dutch took control, but he failed to hit the target.The African side found hope midway through the second half when Hazem Mastouri headed home from Hannibal Mejbri’s corner to reduce the deficit to 2-1.However, the Dutch restored their two-goal advantage almost immediately. Defender Jan Paul van Hecke scored his first international goal, with his header from Tijjani Reijnders’ corner taking a slight deflection off Anis Slimane before ending up in the net.The result completed an impressive group-stage campaign for the Netherlands, who now head into the knockout rounds full of confidence.Their attention now turns to Monday’s Round of 32 meeting with Morocco, while Tunisia bow out of the tournament without adding to their solitary point.
