Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1, enter World Cup knockouts as group winners

Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1, enter World Cup knockouts as group winnersNetherlands top Group F with seven points and will face Morocco in the round of 32 in Monterrey on Monday.The Netherlands overcame Tunisia 3-1 to top World Cup Group F, avoiding a tricky encounter with Brazil in the last 32.Ronald Koeman’s men flew into a two-goal lead in soggy Kansas City, thanks to some poor defending from their opponents, who leave the tournament without a point.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4‘Incredibly proud moment’: South Africa fans hail historic World Cup runlist 2 of 4World Cup knockouts: Who has made it to the round of 32 stage?list 3 of 4They fled war as child refugees, now they’re playing at World Cup 2026list 4 of 4Mbappe vs Haaland showdown: France-Norway fight for knockouts at World Cupend of listFirst, Ellyes Skhiri sliced Denzel Dumfries’s cross into his own net, and minutes later, Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey lashed home from close range.That apparently sealed the deal for the Netherlands, whose orange-clad fans were entertaining themselves with Mexican waves midway through the first half at Arrowhead Stadium.Tunisia pulled a goal back in the second half, but the Dutch restored their two-goal lead courtesy of a Jan Paul van Hecke header shortly after the hour mark.The Netherlands, who finished their group fixtures with seven points, pipped Japan to top spot in Group F, and will face Morocco in the second round in Monterrey on Monday.Japan drew 1-1 against Sweden in Arlington, Texas, to confirm second spot, though the Scandinavian side also advanced as one of the eight best-placed teams who finished third.Thursday’s game started on time after a lightning storm had threatened major disruption earlier in the American Midwest.Tunisia went close in the opening moments, when Ismael Gharbi fired over from close range, but that proved a false indicator of what was to come.Instead, Skhiri turned the ball into his own net in the third minute to put the three-time finalists in front.Just four minutes later, Brobbey smashed home his third goal of the World Cup after Virgil van Dijk headed a cross goal following a Tijjani Reijnders free kick.