Group F Netherlands 3-1 Tunisia Japan 1-1 Sweden The Netherlands sealed top spot in Group F with an impressive 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday, while Japan secured automatic qualification despite a 1-1 draw with Sweden as all three nations kept their FIFA World Cup dreams alive. The Dutch finished the group unbeaten on seven points and will now face Group C runners-up Morocco in the Round of 32, while Japan progressed as runners-up and earned a mouth-watering clash with five-time champions Brazil. Sweden, meanwhile, advanced as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams after finishing with four points. Having drawn with Japan and comfortably defeated Sweden in their opening two matches, the Netherlands needed only a point to guarantee first place but wasted little time taking control of the contest. Tunisia, already eliminated after defeats in their opening two games, had promised to bow out with pride under coach Hervé Renard. They nearly made the perfect start when Ismael Gharbi found space inside the penalty area after just two minutes, but he failed to convert. The miss proved costly. Just a minute later, the Netherlands took the lead when Denzel Dumfries delivered a dangerous low cross that Tunisia midfielder Ellyes Skhiri inadvertently turned into his own net while attempting to clear. The Dutch doubled their advantage only four minutes later. Captain Virgil van Dijk nodded the ball into the path of Brian Brobbey, who calmly slotted home his third goal of the tournament to continue his excellent World Cup form. With a two-goal cushion inside seven minutes, Ronald Koeman's side dominated possession and controlled the tempo for much of the match. Tunisia briefly threatened a comeback in the 54th minute when Hazem Mastouri rose unmarked to head home from a corner, reducing the deficit and giving the North Africans renewed belief. However, any hopes of a revival were short-lived. Jan-Paul van Hecke restored the Netherlands' two-goal advantage eight minutes later, powering home his first international goal to effectively put the contest beyond doubt. The Dutch almost added a fourth in the closing stages after Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen failed to deal with a high ball, but Tijjani Reijnders saw his effort crash against the crossbar. Elsewhere in Group F, Japan and Sweden shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, a result that proved enough for both sides to continue their World Cup journey. Japan finished second behind the Netherlands on goal difference and will now prepare for a blockbuster Round of 32 encounter against Brazil. Sweden's four-point tally was sufficient to earn one of the tournament's best third-placed qualification spots, completing a remarkable turnaround after reaching the World Cup through the UEFA Nations League playoffs. For Tunisia, the defeat confirmed a disappointing end to their campaign, with the North Africans exiting the tournament without a point despite showing glimpses of promise in their final outing.
