Netherlands face Morocco in World Cup 2026 knockout round
US. Defeating Tunisia 3-1 in final round, Netherlands win Group F with seven points, face Morocco in World Cup 2026 round of 16.
Netherlands, Tunisia enter match at Arrowhead Stadium in opposite situations. Netherlands lead group with four points from two rounds: draw Japan 2-2, thrash Sweden 5-1.
Netherlands celebrate goal making it 2-0 in 3-1 win against Tunisia in final Group F match of World Cup 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas, Missouri, US on June 25, 2026. Photo: AP
Tunisia lost both opening matches, 1-5 to Sweden and 0-4 to Japan, losing chance to advance early. They become fourth team in World Cup history to suffer consecutive defeats by four or more goals, after Greece (1994), South Korea (1954), Bolivia (1930). Tunisia also join rare group changing coach mid-tournament, sacking Sabri Lamouchi and appointing Herve Renard - former Nam Dinh manager in 2004.
In World Cup history, Netherlands finished runners-up three times, while Tunisia have only three wins in 20 matches. North African side beat European team only once in tournament history (4 draws, 8 losses), exception being 1-0 win against France in final group match of World Cup 2022.
Gap quickly showed on pitch. Netherlands dominate early, open score in third minute. Denzel Dumfries - Real Madrid's $23 million signing - cross from right, force Ellyes Skhiri into own goal. Just four minutes later, from free-kick routine, Virgil van Dijk head across for Brian Brobbey to tap in from close range, doubling lead.
*Netherlands open score.
First assist for Van Dijk in 95 matches for Netherlands. Meanwhile, Brobbey - player who faced blackmail threat - becomes third player in history to score three goals from first three shots at World Cup since 1996, after Laszlo Kiss (Hungary, 1982), Yerry Mina (Colombia, 2018).
After two quick goals, match slow down under heavy rain in Missouri, revive only in second half. Minute 54, former Man Utd midfielder Hannibal Mejbri take corner from right, Hazem Mastouri head into far corner, reduce deficit to 1-2, revive slim hope for Tunisia.
*Tunisia pull one back.
However, just eight minutes later, also from set piece, Netherlands crush hope. Tijjani Reijnders cross accurately, Jan Paul van Hecke - defender joining Tottenham for $68 million - loop header into far corner, make it 3-1.
Remaining time, coach Ronald Koeman sub off key players like Reijnders, Frenkie de Jong, Brobbey, Cody Gakpo, slow down pace to save energy for knockout stage. Winning Group F, Netherlands face Group C runners-up Morocco. Match scheduled at BBVA Stadium, Guadalupe (Mexico) at 8:00 AM June 30 Hanoi time.
*Netherlands seal 3-1 win.
Netherlands enter knockout stage with high confidence. They score 10 goals in three group matches, second time in history reaching milestone after World Cup 2014. But Dutch defense concede four goals in opening three matches for first time in World Cup history.
Combination of explosive attack and defensive gaps make Netherlands look both convincing and worrying. Still, squad depth and experience of stars in Europe's top five leagues keep "Oranje" top contender for World Cup 2026 title.
Japan, Netherlands, Australia among World Cup 2026 teams with jersey colors different from national flags for symbolic reasons. 16
Van Dijk mocked for 'turning like Boeing 747'
Former star Rafael van der Vaart calls Virgil van Dijk slow, compares Dutch captain to Boeing 747 in opening draw against Japan at World Cup 2026. 18
Netherlands crushes Sweden at World Cup 2026
Brian Brobbey, Cody Gakpo braces help Netherlands beat Sweden 5-1 in World Cup 2026 Group F second match. 59
Netherlands team prays via Zoom
Amid skepticism after 2-2 opening draw with Japan, Dutch players turn to faith before Sweden match in World Cup 2026 Group F second round. 12
Dutch star accused of racism for saying Japanese players 'look alike'
Former Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart faces criticism for saying Japanese players "look alike" after 2-2 World Cup 2026 draw. 65