Netherlands Top Group F With 3-1 Tunisia Win, Set Up Morocco Clash

Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 to top Group F and book a World Cup last-32 clash with Morocco.

The Netherlands secured top spot in Group F and advanced to the World Cup knockout stage with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Tunisia, setting up a round-of-32 meeting with Morocco.

Ronald Koeman’s side raced into a two-goal lead within seven minutes, benefiting from an own goal by Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri before Brian Brobbey netted his third goal of the tournament. Jan Paul van Hecke restored the Dutch two-goal advantage after Hazem Mastouri had briefly given Tunisia hope early in the second half

The Dutch took control almost immediately after Skhiri inadvertently turned Denzel Dumfries’ cross into his own net in the third minute. Four minutes later, Brobbey finished from close range after Virgil van Dijk headed a free-kick back across goal.

Tunisia reduced the deficit in the 54th minute when Mastouri headed home from Hannibal Mejbri’s corner, but Van Hecke responded eight minutes later with a powerful header from Tijjani Reijnders’ corner, with the ball taking a deflection on its way in.

Reijnders later struck the crossbar as the Netherlands continued to create chances, but the result was never in doubt.

The win ensured the Netherlands finished first in the group, although Koeman dismissed suggestions that his side would be favourites against Morocco in Monday’s knockout tie in Monterrey.

“I’m not sure if we’re the favorites”, Koeman said. “It will be a big game. They are a good team with a lot of quality and they can score easily”.

For Tunisia, the defeat capped a disappointing tournament that included heavy losses to Japan and Sweden and a coaching change after their opening match. The North Africans exit the competition without a point, while the Netherlands move on to face Morocco in what Koeman described as their “real test.”