Netherlands top Group F after 3-1 win against Tunisia

By Arjun Sharma — 26 June 2026 — 3 min read

Netherlands secure top spot in Group F

The Netherlands secured their position as winners of World Cup Group F after a 3-1 victory over Tunisia. This result means the Dutch side will avoid a potential encounter with Brazil in the last 32, instead setting up a clash with Morocco in Monterrey on Monday. The match, played in Kansas City, saw Ronald Koeman’s team establish an early lead despite a lightning storm earlier threatening disruption.

The game started on time, and the Netherlands quickly took control. Tunisia had an early opportunity when Ismael Gharbi fired over the bar, but this proved to be a fleeting moment for the North African team. Just minutes into the match, Ellyes Skhiri inadvertently directed Denzel Dumfries’s cross into his own net, giving the Netherlands the lead.

Shortly after, Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey extended the lead. His goal, his third of the tournament, came from close range after Virgil van Dijk headed a free kick from Tijjani Reijnders back across the goal. This rapid start saw the Netherlands achieve a 2-0 advantage within the first seven minutes of play, marking one of the fastest starts to a World Cup match since 2002.

The early goals allowed the Netherlands to settle into a more controlled tempo. Their orange-clad supporters at Arrowhead Stadium were seen engaging in Mexican waves midway through the first half, reflecting the comfortable position of their team. Despite the comfortable lead, Tunisia managed to reach half-time without conceding further goals.

Tunisia’s campaign concludes

In the second half, Tunisia managed to pull a goal back in the 54th minute. Hazem Mastouri headed home from a corner delivered by Hannibal Mejbri, briefly reducing the deficit. However, any hopes of a comeback were short-lived. The Netherlands quickly restored their two-goal cushion just eight minutes later when Jan Paul van Hecke powered home a header from another Tijjani Reijnders corner. The ball took a deflection off Anis Slimane before finding the net.

Following this, Tijjani Reijnders also hit the crossbar as the Dutch continued to press, though they did not add to their tally. The scoreline provided an opportunity for coach Ronald Koeman to substitute some key players, including Brobbey, Cody Gakpo, and Frenkie de Jong, in preparation for the upcoming knockout stage match. Memphis Depay, the Netherlands‘ all-time leading goalscorer, entered the game in the 77th minute and nearly scored with an acrobatic bicycle kick.

Tunisia‘s exit from the tournament comes after a challenging campaign. The team conceded 12 goals across their three matches, despite having qualified with a reputation for defensive solidity, having not conceded a single goal during their qualifying run. Their tournament began with a 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening match in Mexico.

Following this initial loss, coach Sabri Lamouchi was replaced by veteran French coach Herve Renard last week. However, the change in management was unable to reverse their fortunes. Tunisia subsequently suffered a 4-0 defeat against Japan before their final loss to the Netherlands. The team leaves the tournament without securing any points.

The Netherlands concluded their group fixtures with seven points, narrowly finishing ahead of Japan for the top spot in Group F. Japan secured second place after a 1-1 draw against Sweden in Arlington, Texas. Sweden also advanced to the knockout stages as one of the best-placed teams who finished third in their group.

Source: aljazeera.com

Arjun Sharma

Sports Reporter