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The Netherlands secured top spot in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday, booking a Round of 32 clash against Morocco.
Ronald Koeman’s side wrapped up the contest inside the opening seven minutes after racing into a two-goal lead before eventually sealing a third straight group-stage victory despite Tunisia pulling one back after the interval.
The Dutch took the lead in the third minute when Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri inadvertently turned Denzel Dumfries’ cross into his own net. Just four minutes later, Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey doubled the advantage, tapping home from close range after Virgil van Dijk nodded the ball across goal.
Brobbey’s strike was his third goal of the tournament, making him one of the competition’s early standout performers.
Tunisia briefly threatened a comeback in the 54th minute when Hazem Mastouri headed home from Hannibal Mejbri’s corner after the Dutch defence failed to deal with the delivery.
However, the Netherlands restored their two-goal cushion eight minutes later as Jan Paul van Hecke powered home a header from Tijjani Reijnders’ corner, with the effort taking a slight deflection before beating goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen.
The Dutch dominated throughout, registering 20 shots and controlling possession despite playing through torrential rain after weather concerns threatened to delay kick-off.
For Tunisia, the defeat completed a disappointing World Cup campaign. The North Africans finished bottom of Group F with three defeats, 12 goals conceded and just one goal scored. Their tournament had already been thrown into turmoil after the dismissal of head coach Sami Trabelsi following the heavy 5-1 opening defeat to Sweden.
The Netherlands now head into the knockout stage with maximum confidence after winning all three group matches and will face Morocco, runners-up in Group C and semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, in Monterrey on Tuesday.
Tunisia, meanwhile, exit the tournament without a point, bringing an end to a campaign that fell far below expectations.
