Netherlands Top Group E and Set Up Round of 32 Clash With Morocco

The Netherlands secured first place in World Cup Group E with a comfortable 3-1 win over Tunisia in Kansas City, extending their unbeaten run in the tournament to 15 matches. Because Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden in the other group match, the Dutch finished on top and will face Morocco in the round of 32.

The game was effectively decided early. Denzel Dumfries sent in a cross in the third minute, and Elias Achouri turned it into his own net for 1-0. Four minutes later, Tijjani Reijnders delivered a free kick to Virgil van Dijk, whose headed return was poked in by Brian Brobbey for his third goal of the competition.

Tunisia, already eliminated after two heavy defeats, still created chances and forced Bart Verbruggen into saves before halftime. The Dutch also threatened through Dumfries, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch, but did not add to their lead until the second half.

Tunisia pulled one back in the 54th minute when Hannibal Mejbri’s corner was headed in by Hazem Mastouri. Any comeback hope lasted only eight minutes, as Reijnders’ corner found Jan Paul van Hecke, who scored his first international goal to make it 3-1. Tunisia pushed late on, but Verbruggen denied Mejbri again and the Netherlands closed out a largely successful group stage. Tunisia finished with no points and 12 goals conceded, while the Netherlands advance still unbeaten against African teams at World Cups. The knockout stage begins on June 28.