World Cup: Group F

Two Quick Goals: Netherlands Claims Group Victory

Celebrations for the “Oranje”(Bild: AFP/FRANCOIS NEL)

The Netherlands has secured first place in its group at the World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Thanks in part to a lightning-fast start, the Oranje defeated Tunisia 3-1 (2-0) early Friday morning in Kansas City and finished first in Group F ahead of Japan and Sweden. In the Round of 16 on Tuesday (3:00 a.m.), the Dutch will face Morocco, while Tunisia heads home with zero points.

“We took a 2–0 lead very quickly, which certainly worked in our favor. We continued to play well after that, too. I think we’ve done a very good job at the World Cup so far and played three very good games,” said Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman. He had special praise for the Oranje fans: “It feels like we’re playing at home every time. Everything is orange.”

Just seven minutes into the match, under rainy conditions, the score was already 2–0. A sharp cross from Denzel Dumfries was unluckily deflected into his own net by Tunisia’s all-time World Cup appearance leader, Ellyes Skhiri (3rd minute). Moments later, Brian Brobbey added his third goal of the tournament from close range off a header assist from Virgil van Dijk (7th minute).

Brief Moment of Tension
After the furious start, the match lost momentum. Tunisia looked determined but could hardly create any real threat on offense. The Dutch seemed to control the game with ease for a long time, before a set piece shortly after halftime briefly injected some tension into the match.

+4

Fotos

Hazem Mastouri, who had been rotated into the starting lineup, skillfully headed in a corner kick (54th minute). The joy was short-lived, however, as a corner kick on the other end also led to a goal. Center back Jan Paul van Hecke rose highest to celebrate his first international goal (62'). The Oranje had two more promising chances through Tijjani Reijnders (66', 69') and then secured the victory.

Tunisia – Netherlands 1–3 (0–2)
Kansas City, 68,391, Referee Garcia (MEX)

Goals: 0–1 (3') Skhiri (own goal), 0–2 (7') Brobbey, 1–2 (54') Mastouri, 1–3 (62') van Hecke

Tunisia: Dahmen – Valery, Talbi, Skhiri, Ben Hamida (67. Ben Ouanes), Abdi – Ben Slimane (67. Achouri), Gharbi (75. Chaouat), Khedira (67. Hadj Mahmoud), Hannibal – Mastouri (90. Tounekti)

Netherlands: Verbruggen – Dumfries, van Hecke, Van Dijk, Ake – Gravenberch, de Jong (72' Koopmeiners), Reijnders (72' Kluivert) – Malen (72. Summerville), Brobbey (77. Depay), Gakpo (84. Lang)

Yellow cards: none