The Netherlands secured first place in Group F with a 3-1 victory over an already-eliminated Tunisia at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, in the early hours of Friday morning European time. The result, combined with Japan’s 1-1 draw against Sweden in Arlington, Texas, meant all three nations progressed to the round of 32, with the Dutch topping the group on seven points, Japan second on five, and Sweden advancing as one of the best third-placed teams on four points. Tunisia departed the tournament without a point, having conceded twelve goals across three matches.

The contest was effectively decided inside seven minutes. In the third minute, a low cross from Denzel Dumfries was turned into his own net by Tunisian midfielder Ellyes Skhiri, who misjudged his attempted clearance. Four minutes later, a Tijjani Reijnders free-kick was headed across goal by Virgil van Dijk, and Brian Brobbey stabbed home from close range for his third goal of the tournament. Tunisia, who had offered little in the first half, reduced the deficit nine minutes after the restart when Hazem Mastouri rose highest to head in a Hannibal Mejbri corner. The revival was short-lived: in the 62nd minute, Jan Paul van Hecke met another Reijnders set-piece delivery with a glancing header that deflected off Anis Ben Slimane and past goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen. The match, officiated by Mexican referee Katia García, saw no cards issued.

Viewed from European capitals, the Dutch performance was a controlled, if unspectacular, conclusion to a group stage that began with a 2-2 draw against Japan and a 5-1 demolition of Sweden. Ronald Koeman’s side extended their unbeaten run in World Cup group matches to fifteen, a sequence dating back to 2014, and finished with ten goals scored, matching Germany for the most prolific attack of the opening phase. In Tokyo, the simultaneous draw in Texas was greeted with relief: Daizen Maeda’s goal had briefly put Japan level on points with the Netherlands, but Anthony Elanga’s equaliser for Sweden ensured the Samurai Blue held on to second place and a last-32 meeting with Brazil.

For Tunisia, the defeat closed a disappointing campaign under coach Hervé Renard. The Eagles of Carthage had lost 5-1 to Sweden and 4-0 to Japan before this final outing, and their only other goal of the tournament came in the first match. The North African side managed just eight attempts on goal in Kansas City, compared to eighteen for the Netherlands, who also dominated possession and completed over three times as many passes.

The Netherlands will now face Morocco, the Group C runners-up, in Monterrey, Mexico, on Monday. Japan’s reward is a clash with Brazil, while Sweden must wait to learn their opponent from among the group winners. The Dutch, who avoided a potential early meeting with Brazil by topping the group, carry a seven-match unbeaten streak in World Cup play into the knockout rounds.