Netherlands secured high spot in Group F with a complete 3-1 win over Tunisia.
The Netherlands knew that high spot can be theirs as long as they matched Japan’s consequence towards Sweden, and with the opposite Group F sport ending 1-1, Ronald Koeman’s facet safely took first.
A 3rd minute personal aim from Ellyes Skhiri – the twelfth this event and joint-most in World Cup historical past – was adopted by Brian Brobbey’s third of the competitors 4 minutes later to place the Dutch in command.
Hazem Mastouri did reply with a aim on his World Cup debut early within the second half, however a header from Jan Paul van Hecke simply after the hour mark secured the factors for Netherlands.
Who will every Group F group face within the spherical of 32?
Netherlands vs Morocco in Guadalupe, Mexico on Tuesday June 30, kick-off 2am.
Brazil vs Japan in Houston, Texas on Monday June 29, kick-off at 6pm.
Sweden may face any of Germany, the Group I winners, Mexico, USA or Switzerland – relying on which different third-placed groups qualify.
Nevertheless, their opponents are almost certainly to be the Group I winners, which shall be certainly one of France or Norway.
That spherical of 32 sport will happen on Tuesday June 30 in New Jersey, New York, kick-off 10pm.
The important thing moments from Kansas Metropolis…
2: Gharbi misses large likelihood to offer Tunisia shock opener
3: GOAL! Captain Skhiri turns the ball into his personal internet
7: GOAL! Brobbey faucets house third aim of World Cup
13: Ben Slimane heads straight at Verbruggen from shut vary
51: Skhiri makes unbelievable block on the road to disclaim Dumfries
53: GOAL! Mastouri halves deficit on World Cup debut
62: GOAL! Van Hecke restores two-goal cushion
66: Reijnders hits the bar with delicate chip
Evaluation: Netherlands present they will undergo the gears
Sky Sports activities’ Callum Bishop:
In some ways, this was the consequence everybody anticipated. Nevertheless, the way of it was an attention-grabbing one.
Whereas the Netherlands managed the sport all through, they definitely did not have all of it their very own method. Tunisia got here to play and had loads of possibilities themselves. What was most spectacular, although, was the way in which through which Ronald Koeman’s facet responded to the warnings.
Tunisia arguably ought to’ve been forward by the point of the third-minute opener. The Dutch additionally hit again instantly after conceding within the second half and pushed for extra targets.
Can they do this towards harder opposition? The knockout levels will inform us. Nevertheless, the way in which they’ve gone about their enterprise with 10 targets in three video games would make them horrifying opposition for a lot of.
A match-up towards Morocco shall be one of many extra intriguing ties of the spherical of 32. The query is, can they maintain the shape going towards a semi-finalist from 2022?
