Netherlands claim Group F top spot with win over Tunisia

Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands secured top spot in Group F with a controlled 3-1 victory over Tunisia in Kansas City, ensuring they will face Morocco in the Round of 32. The Dutch did not need to over-extend, knowing a draw in their final group game would be enough after Japan’s 1-1 draw with Sweden. Instead, they delivered a composed display, taking the lead inside three minutes and never looking back, with their attacking trio of Brian Brobbey, Memphis Depay, and Xavi Simons combining fluidly in the early exchanges.

Netherlands seize control early

The game turned on its head in the opening minutes. Ellyes Skhiri’s own goal after three minutes— the 12th of the tournament and tied for the most in World Cup history— handed the Dutch a lead they would not relinquish. Brobbey doubled the advantage four minutes later, tapping home his third goal of the competition to underline the Netherlands’ attacking intent. Tunisia nearly responded immediately when Aïssa Gharbi blazed over from close range, but it was the Dutch who kept the pressure on, forcing a string of saves from Tunisia’s goalkeeper Bechir Ben Saïd, who denied Depay in the 13th minute with a sharp reaction stop.

Hazem Mastouri pulled one back on the hour mark, halving the deficit with a composed finish on his World Cup debut. The goal briefly reignited hope for Tunisia, but Jan Paul van Hecke restored the two-goal cushion with a header in the 62nd minute, rising above Youssef Msakni to power home from a Depay corner. The Dutch then saw a late chance denied when Skhiri made an acrobatic block to deny Nathan Aké, preserving the clean sheet and the win. Koeman’s side had already survived a nervy spell when Dylan Vlahović forced André Onana into a save in the 51st minute, but the Cameroon-born goalkeeper stood tall when it mattered.

Tunisia depart with nothing

Tunisia’s campaign ended without a single point, a disappointing finale after a spirited start. Their opening defeat to Brazil had set a tough tone, and despite Mastouri’s goal, they could not build momentum. The North Africans finished bottom of Group F, while Japan’s draw with Sweden allowed the Dutch to cruise through as group winners. The result leaves Tunisia as the only team in the tournament to leave without a point, their campaign undone by missed chances and defensive fragility in wide areas.

For Koeman, the focus now shifts to the Round of 32, where his side will face Morocco in Guadalupe, Mexico. The Dutch will arrive as one of the most fluid attacking teams in the tournament, having scored seven goals in three games and conceded just one. Their next challenge will test their composure against a Morocco side that topped Group E with a 100% record, conceding only once in the process. Morocco’s defensive structure, marshalled by Sofiane Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi, will look to stifle the Dutch creativity, while their attack, led by Youssef En-Nesyri, will seek to exploit any gaps.

What comes next for the Dutch

Netherlands’ path to the knockout stages has been built on efficiency rather than spectacle. They did not need to chase the game against Tunisia, content to control possession and exploit set-pieces and individual errors. Brobbey’s movement and Van Hecke’s aerial presence were key, while the backline remained solid despite early pressure. Virgil van Dijk’s leadership at the heart of defence provided a calming influence, while Jeremie Frimpong’s overlapping runs on the right stretched Tunisia’s midfield.

The Round of 32 presents a sterner test. Morocco’s defence has conceded just once in the group stage, while their attack has been led by En-Nesyri, who scored twice. If the Dutch can maintain their composure and avoid defensive lapses, they will be well-placed to progress. Koeman’s side has the tools to go deep, but the knockout format demands precision. The Dutch midfield trio of Frenkie de Jong, Xavi Simons, and Ryan Gravenberch will need to dictate tempo against Morocco’s high pressing, while Depay’s link-up play will be crucial in breaking down a compact defence.

As the Netherlands turn their attention to Tuesday’s fixture, they do so with momentum on their side. A controlled group-stage performance has set the tone for what could be a long run in the tournament. For Tunisia, the World Cup ends in disappointment, their campaign undone by missed chances and defensive fragility. The Dutch, meanwhile, have laid down a marker—one they will aim to build on in the next round.