Netherlands participant Brian Brobbey (R) celebrates scoring his staff’s second purpose through the World Cup Group F match between Tunisia and the Netherlands on the Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, US, June 25, 2026. /VCG
The Netherlands overcame out of shape Tunisia 3-1 on Thursday to prime World Cup Group F, and within the course of keep away from a  tough encounter with Brazil within the final 32.
Ronald Koeman’s males flew right into a two-goal lead in soggy Kansas City due to some shoddy defending from the North African facet.
First, Ellyes Skhiri sliced Denzel Dumfries’ cross into his personal web and minutes later Sunderland ahead Brian Brobbey lashed dwelling from shut vary.
That apparently sealed the deal for the Netherlands, whose orange-clad followers have been entertaining themselves with Mexican waves halfway by the primary half at Arrowhead Stadium.
Tunisia pulled a purpose again within the second half however the Dutch restored their two-goal lead courtesy of a Jan Paul van Hecke header shortly after the hour mark.
The Netherlands, who completed their group fixtures with seven factors, pipped Japan to prime spot in Group F, and can face Morocco within the second spherical in Monterrey on Monday in what guarantees to be an exhilarating recreation.Â
Thursday’s recreation began on time after a lightning storm had threatened a significant disruption earlier within the American Midwest.
The Carthage Eagles went shut within the opening moments when Ismael Gharbi fired over from shut vary however that proved a false indicator of what was to return.
Instead Skhiri turned the ball into his personal web within the third minute to place the three-time finalists in entrance.
Just 4 minutes later Brobbey smashed dwelling his third purpose of the World Cup after Virgil van Dijk headed throughout purpose following a Tijjani Reijnders free-kick.
Tunisia threatened to unravel additional however managed to succeed in half-time with out conceding once more.
The North Africans pulled a purpose again within the 54th minute when Hazem Mastouri headed dwelling from Hannibal Mejbri’s nook.
But any potential jitters have been shortly dispelled minutes later when Van Hecke’s header from Reijnders’ nook discovered its method into the web through a deflection.
Tunisia will go dwelling with their tails between their legs after an embarrassing marketing campaign wherein they shipped 12 targets in three video games.
Veteran French coach Herve Renard, who received the African Cup of Nations twice with Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire was employed final week after Sabri Lamouchi was fired following the staff’s 5-1 hammering by Sweden of their opening match in Mexico.
But he was unable to cease the rot as Tunisia, who romped by qualifying with out conceding a single purpose, collapsed 4-0 towards Japan earlier than their defeat towards the Dutch.
Elsewhere, Japan drew 1-1 towards Sweden in Arlington, Texas, to substantiate second spot although the Scandinavian facet additionally superior as one of many eight best-placed groups who completed third.
A recreation in entrance of 70,000 in Texas burst into life within the second half, Daizen Maeda giving Japan the lead after the break earlier than Anthony Elanga levelled minutes later. Japan, fancied as darkish horses to go far within the match, have been hanging on by the top as Alexander Isak and Elanga each went shut.
Graham Potter, whose Swedish facet have been torn aside by the Netherlands final trip, modified his goalkeeper and began Elanga.
“We had to defend the box and wide areas better,” mentioned the Englishman.
The former Chelsea and West Ham boss added: “The boys were fantastic.”
“Over the course of the game it was a pretty fair result and arguably we were slightly the better team in the second half.”
It stays to be seen who Sweden will play subsequent, however France loom as one chance.
“It’s a tricky one,” mentioned Potter. “We need to be on our toes in terms of logistics, that’s the fun part of the tournament.”
Source: CGTN