Netherlands beat Tunisia to top Group F as Japan and Sweden reach knockouts

The Netherlands sealed top spot in Group F with a 3-1 win over Tunisia, while Japan booked their place in the last 32 after a 1-1 draw with Sweden. Sweden also progressed as one of the best third-placed teams, setting up knockout ties for both the Dutch and Japan.

In Short

• Netherlands finished unbeaten on seven points and will face Morocco next
• Japan held Sweden to a 1-1 draw to book their place in the Round of 32
• Japan ended second with five points and will meet five-time champions Brazil

The Netherlands sealed top spot in Group F with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Tunisia, while Japan and Sweden also booked their places in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 after sharing a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

The Dutch finished the group stage unbeaten with seven points and will face Morocco in the Round of 32 in Monterrey on Monday. Japan ended second with five points and will meet five-time champions Brazil, while Sweden advanced as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams after collecting four points. Tunisia bowed out without a point.

The Netherlands made a dream start in Kansas City, taking control of the contest inside seven minutes.

Tunisia vs Netherlands, FIFA World Cup: Highlights

Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri inadvertently turned Denzel Dumfries' cross into his own net in the third minute to hand Oranje the lead. Four minutes later, Brian Brobbey doubled the advantage after Virgil van Dijk flicked on Tijjani Reijnders' free kick, allowing the striker to finish from close range for his third goal of the tournament.

Already eliminated before kick-off, Tunisia showed some fight after the break and pulled one back in the 54th minute. Hazem Mastouri rose highest to head Hannibal Mejbri's corner into the bottom corner for only Tunisia's second goal of the tournament.

However, the Dutch quickly restored their two-goal cushion. Jan Paul van Hecke headed home another excellent Reijnders corner in the 62nd minute to score his first World Cup goal and put the result beyond doubt.

Bart Verbruggen made three saves for the Netherlands, while Aymen Dahmen kept the score respectable with four stops. Tunisia finished the tournament having conceded 12 goals while scoring only twice.

JAPAN AND SWEDEN ADVANCE

Japan and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw in Arlington, with both teams doing enough to qualify for the knockout stage.

The first half offered few clear-cut chances before Japan raised the tempo after the restart. Their breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Ritsu Doan exchanged passes with Ayase Ueda before threading a perfectly weighted pass for Daizen Maeda, who calmly slotted past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

Sweden responded within six minutes through Anthony Elanga. The winger cut inside from the left and curled a superb effort into the far corner beyond Zion Suzuki to level the scores.

The Swedes pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages, but Suzuki produced two outstanding saves to deny Alexander Isak, including a stoppage-time header that he tipped onto the crossbar.

"I had the feeling throughout the game that I wanted to do something today," Elanga said.

"I'm happy I scored. Of course I wanted to win, but in the end everyone shouted that we needed one point. We're through and now we have to play even better in the next match."

The draw confirmed Japan's second-place finish behind the Netherlands, while Sweden's four-point haul was enough to secure one of the tournament's best third-place qualification spots.

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