The Netherlands sealed top spot in Group F with a convincing 3-1 victory over Tunisia at Kansas City Stadium, booking a round of 32 clash against Morocco. Tunisia, meanwhile, bowed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after another disappointing display.
Tunisia entered the match already eliminated after a heavy 4-0 defeat to Japan in their previous outing. New head coach Herve Renard could not guide the North Africans into the knockout stage, and they faced another difficult challenge against a Dutch side determined to finish top of the group.
The Oranje arrived full of confidence after opening the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Japan before thrashing Sweden 5-1. With first place still within reach, Ronald Koeman’s men knew victory would secure the group’s top position.
Despite their poor campaign, Tunisia almost made the perfect start. Just two minutes into the match, Mastouri skipped past Jan Paul van Hecke on the left and drilled a low cross into the penalty area. Ghabri met it from close range but blasted his effort over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
The missed chance proved costly almost immediately.
The Netherlands took the lead in the third minute through an unfortunate own goal from Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri. Donyell Malen released Denzel Dumfries down the right, and the defender’s dangerous low cross forced Skhiri into turning the ball into his own net.
The Dutch doubled their advantage just four minutes later. Tijjani Reijnders floated a free kick to the far post, where Virgil van Dijk headed the ball back across goal for Brian Brobbey to finish from close range and make it 2-0 after only seven minutes.
Tunisia tried to respond and nearly reduced the deficit in the 13th minute. Mohamed Valery delivered an inviting cross into the box, but Ben Slimane’s header went straight into the hands of Bart Verbruggen.
The Netherlands continued to threaten before the break. In the 30th minute, Reijnders teed up Malen on the edge of the area, but the Roma winger curled his effort narrowly wide of the post.
The first half ended with the Netherlands firmly in control. Tunisia’s early miss had been punished ruthlessly, while Skhiri’s own goal and Brobbey’s close-range finish gave Koeman’s side a comfortable two-goal cushion.
Tunisia came out with renewed energy after the restart and deservedly pulled a goal back in the 54th minute. Hannibal Mejbri whipped in a corner from the right, and Mastouri rose highest to power a header into the bottom corner after Reijnders lost his marker.
Any hopes of a comeback lasted only eight minutes.
The Netherlands restored their two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute from another set piece. Reijnders delivered an excellent corner to the near post, where Van Hecke flicked a header that deflected slightly off Ben Slimane before flying into the top corner. The assist was Reijnders’ first of the tournament, while the goal marked the Netherlands’ first World Cup goal from a corner since Wesley Sneijder scored against Brazil in 2014.
The Dutch nearly added a fourth moments later. Tunisia goalkeeper Dahmen failed to deal with a clearance, allowing Reijnders to chip an effort over him. However, the Manchester City midfielder watched his delicate finish bounce back off the crossbar.
Koeman then freshened up his side in the 77th minute by introducing Memphis Depay for goalscorer Brobbey. The appearance marked Depay’s 12th World Cup match, and the victory saw him join Mario Zagallo, Julio Olarticoechea and Daley Blind as one of only four players to remain unbeaten after at least 12 World Cup appearances in regular or extra time.
The final whistle confirmed another professional performance from the Netherlands, who finished top of Group F and will now face Morocco in Monterrey in the round of 32.
For Tunisia, the defeat brought a miserable World Cup campaign to an end. They finished bottom of the group without a single point, scored only two goals and conceded 12, leaving plenty of questions to answer ahead of future competitions.
The result also extended the Netherlands impressive record against African opposition at the World Cup. The Dutch remain unbeaten in six such matches, with five wins and one draw, continuing a streak that began after their 1-1 draw with Egypt in 1990.
