A lightning-fast start from the Dutch in rainy Kansas City
Rain poured down on Arrowhead Stadium from the first minute, but it was the Netherlands who flooded Tunisia with goals. In the 3rd minute, Denzel Dumfries swung in a cross from the right, and Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri, attempting to clear it, turned the ball into his own net. It was the 12th own goal of the tournament, matching the record for any World Cup. Four minutes later, Virgil van Dijk headed on a Tijjani Reijnders free kick, and Brian Brobbey, lurking in the box, made no mistake, scoring his third goal of the tournament. After just seven minutes, the Netherlands led 2-0.
Tunisia respond, but the Dutch have an answer
After the break, Tunisia looked much improved and got a goal back in the 54th minute — Hazem Mastouri headed home from a Hannibal Mejbri corner for his first-ever World Cup goal. The celebrations didn't last long. Just eight minutes later, in the 62nd minute, Jan Paul van Hecke headed in from another Reijnders corner, with the ball changing direction on its way into the net after deflecting off Anis Slimane. Tunisia had no response.
Stats and consequences
Tunisia managed 10 shots, four on target, while the Netherlands racked up 20 shots with seven on target. The 3-1 win sent the Netherlands through the group stage with seven points, finishing top of Group F and setting up a round of 32 clash with Morocco in Monterrey. For Tunisia, the tournament ends painfully — without a single point and having conceded twelve goals in three matches. After an opening 1-5 defeat to Sweden, the team sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi and brought in veteran Frenchman Herve Renard, but even he couldn't turn their fortunes around at the World Cup.