Netherlands power to win over Tunisia and set up last-32 meeting with Morocco

The Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 in Kansas City to top World Cup Group F and set up a mouthwatering Round of 32 clash with Morocco.

Fresh from defeats by Sweden and Japan, Tunisia fell behind after just three minutes in bizarre circumstances when the hapless Ellyes Skhiri sliced the ball into his own net.

Brian Brobbey scored his third goal of the tournament shortly afterwards to make it 2-0. Hazem Mastouri pulled one back, Tunisia’s first goal at these finals, but Jan Paul van Hecke soon restored the Netherlands’ two-goal lead.

Japan could only draw 1-1 with Sweden in the other Group F match, meaning the Netherlands finish top. Japan will face Brazil next, while Sweden are on course to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams and will most likely take on France.

Match report

The Dutch made the perfect start after just three minutes when Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri endured a nightmare moment, slicing Denzel Dumfries' dangerous cross into his own net while attempting to clear the danger.

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Before Tunisia could recover, the Netherlands doubled their advantage four minutes later. Virgil van Dijk rose highest to head a delivery back across goal, allowing Brian Brobbey to apply a simple finish from close range for his third goal of the tournament.

With an early cushion, the Oranje dictated possession and carved open Tunisia with ease, repeatedly stretching their opponents and creating chances almost at will.

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They finished the night with 20 attempts on goal, 12 of them arriving before halftime.

Heavy rain swept across Kansas City before kick-off and continued throughout the match after earlier weather concerns threatened a delayed start. Once play got underway, however, the conditions did little to slow the Dutch.

Tunisia finally found a way back into the contest early in the second half when Hazem Mastouri headed home from a corner after Tijjani Reijnders momentarily lost his marker.

The goal was Tunisia's first of the tournament and briefly offered hope of an unlikely comeback.

Jan Paul van Hecke restored the Netherlands' two-goal cushion moments later, directing a near-post header from a corner towards goal before the ball took a decisive touch off a Tunisian defender on its way past the goalkeeper.

The North Africans continued to show flashes on the counterattack through Anis Ben Slimane, but they rarely looked capable of troubling a Dutch side that remained firmly in control.

There was further confusion at the start of the second half when Tunisia initially emerged with only 10 players before Skhiri eventually joined his teammates after a brief delay, adding another bizarre chapter to an already difficult afternoon for the Eagles of Carthage.

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Skhiri's evening had begun in equally unfortunate fashion after the own goal, and he later found himself in a physical battle with Brobbey that even resulted in him losing the numbers on the back of his shirt.

For Tunisia, the defeat completed a disastrous World Cup campaign. Having conceded 12 goals in three matches and dismissed their head coach following the opening 5-1 loss to Sweden, they leave the tournament rooted to the bottom of Group F despite producing arguably their most competitive display.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, will take plenty of confidence into the knockout stage, although sterner examinations lie ahead.

Unlike their labored display against Japan, the Dutch found space with ease against Tunisia and rarely needed to move beyond second gear.

Their encounter with 2022 semi-finalists Morocco promises to be an entirely different proposition and could provide the clearest indication yet of whether Koeman's side possesses the credentials to challenge for the World Cup title.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 3)

Friday

Japan -Sweden 1-1 (0-0)

/Maeda 56- Elanga 62/

Tunisia -Netherlands 1-3 (0-2)

/Mastouri 54- Skhiri (og) 3, Brobbery 7, Van Hecke 62/