Dutch cruise past Tunisia as Japan and Sweden book place in FIFA World Cup knockouts

The Dutch ensured they topped Group F by comfortably beating Tunisia 3-1 in Kansas City. With Tunisia already eliminated from the group stage, the North Africans had only pride to play for, and it showed.

Unfortunately, they found themselves in a familiar position as they conceded two goals in the opening seven minutes. First,  Denzel Dumfries' low cross from the right was struck into his own net by midfielder Ellyes Skhiri. Then Tijjani Reijnders floated a beautiful free-kick into the danger zone, which Virgil van Dijk headed on for Brian Brobbey to power in for his third goal of the tournament.

But the Eagles of Carthage never gave up. Despite their own goal being peppered with chances, they created one of their own, but Anis Ben Slimane's header only found the safe hands of Bart Verbruggen.

Tunisia finally struck back in the second stanza. Hannibal Mejbri curled in a corner and striker Hazem Mastouri found the back of the net with a powerful header.

However, the Netherlands dashed any hope of a comeback on the hour mark, as Jan Paul van Hecke scored his first international goal when he guided Reijnders' corner past gloveman Aymen Dahmen.

After the match, Netherlands stalwart manager Ronald Koeman admitted there was room for improvement.

"The pace, the positions, to create more, to get more people in between the lines, and without the ball, we can be more compact sometimes," he said.

"We need to transition faster, or go back, or forward, all of us together, so there's room for improvement. You never stop learning in football. There are always moments in a game where, as a trainer, you think there's room for improvement."

The win earns the Dutch a Round of 32 clash against Morocco on 29 June.

Earlier, Japan and Sweden both secured their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw in Dallas.

The open half saw few clear-cut chances, but Japan finally converted their dominance into a goal in the 56th minute. Ritsu Doan's brilliantly incisive pass found Daizen Maeda, who netted the opener.

But Japan's celebrations were cut short as Sweden scored just six minutes later. Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga cut in from the right and bent home a stunning curling left-footed effort from the edge of the area.

Both teams had chances to steal victory at the death, but neither could convert. The draw secured the Samurai Blues a runner-up finish in the group and a knockout clash against five-time champions Brazil.

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