It was only fitting that one of the final games of the high-scoring Group F was yet another goal fest. The Netherlands, in the end, comfortably got past Tunisia with a 3-1 victory. After topping the group, the Oranje will be taking on Morocco in the next round of the World Cup.

The Eagles of Carthage almost took a surprise lead inside one minute when Hazeem Mastouri dinked in a dangerous cross that was smashed over the bar by Ismael Gharbi. 

The Oranje ruthlessly punished Tunisia for the miss, upping the ante. Denzel Dumfries was slipped through down the right by Donyell Malen, who delivered a trademark low cross, which was driven past Aymen Dahmen by Ellyes Skhiri for an own goal to make it 1-0.

Moments later, in the seventh minute, Brian Brobbey doubled the Dutch lead with his third goal in the World Cup. Tijani Reijnders whipped in a free-kick for Virgil van Dijk at the far-post to head towards Brobbey, who thumped the ball into the back of the net from close range. This was Tunisia's fourth goal conceded in the first 15 minutes of the first half, the most at the 2026 World Cup.

Tunisia very nearly scored a goal of their own midway through the first half when Yan Valery sent in a brilliant, inch-perfect ball for Anis Ben Slimane, but his header was straight at Bart Verbruggen.

In the second half, Hervé Renard's men were rewarded for slowly getting back into the match to make it 2-1. Hannibal Mejbri whipped in a delightful ball from a corner for Hazem Mastouri to score on his World Cup debut. 

However, van Hecke put the game to bed and extended Ronald Koeman's side's lead to 3-1 as his near-post header from a Reijnders corner deflected off Ben Slimane for his first international goal.

Minutes later, Reinjders had two major opportunities himself to make it four. Firstly, he attempts a skilful lob that hits the underside of the bar and then moments later, his shot from outside the box is saved. 

In the other fixture of the group, Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden meaning the Samurai Blue take the second spot and Sweden confirm third and progress to the next stage.

Going forward the Netherlands look like one of the most electrifying attacking sides in the tournement with ten goals in their three games so far. The additon of Brobbey has added a new dynamic that they lacked against Japan.

His physicality allows the Netherlands to have a figurehead up front who is capable of bullying the defence, but also creating opportunities for his teammates with his hold-up play.

However, the Netherlands do have some frailties in the defensive department due to moments where they have lapses of concentration. Against Japan, poor substitutions and their switching off meant they drew 2-2. In the Sweden fixture, despite the 5-1 scoreline, they gifted huge chances for Graham Potter's side that could have changed the course of the game. 

In this match, they could have easily conceded two big chances early on in the match that could have caused a spanner in the works. Against Morocco, with the likes of Ismael Saibari, they cannot afford to give up chances of that ilk. Otherwise, they will be punished.

In a nightmarish campaign for Tunisia, one player who can hold their head up high is Mejbri. In all three games, he looked like the only player alongside, potentially Valery, who looked like they could make any magic happen.

Playing in his more natural number ten position, he led fast and direct counters against the Netherlands, but the lack of other quality on his side meant they often fell short.

It is baffling that Renard did not use this favoured 4-2-3-1 system with Mejbri in the ten and not as a left-sided central midfielder against Japan, as they could have caused more problems.

As for Tunisia, their campaign has now come to an end, but in many ways, this should lead to much-needed change throughout Tunisian football and end the controversy surrounding them