World Cup 2026: Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 to win Group F

Oranje storm Arrowhead to top Group F

At the World Cup 2026 in Kansas City, the Netherlands brushed aside Tunisia 3-1 under the rain at Arrowhead Stadium to finish top of Group F. The result was decided almost before the crowd had settled, with two goals inside the opening seven minutes setting the tone for a one-sided evening.

The numbers tell the story plainly. The Netherlands controlled 71% of possession to Tunisia's 29%, mustering 1.85 expected goals (a measure of chance quality) against 0.62, and racked up 128 attacks to Tunisia's 57. Ronald Koeman's side managed seven shots on target, forcing four saves from the Tunisia goalkeeper, while completing 602 passes to Tunisia's 199.

Tunisia, to their credit, never folded entirely and found a reply through Hazem Mastouri early in the second half, but the gulf in command was clear. With this win the Netherlands move to seven points and top of the group, confirmed through to the Round of 32. Tunisia, sitting fourth on zero points with a goal difference of -10, are out of the group stage.

How Tunisia and the Dutch lined up

From a third-minute own goal to 3-1

The match was effectively shaped in its opening exchanges. In the third minute Ellyes Skhiri turned the ball into his own net, handing the Netherlands a dream start. Four minutes later Brian Brobbey doubled the lead, finishing a move set up by Virgil van Dijk to make it 2-0 inside seven minutes.

Tunisia regrouped after the break and pulled one back on 54 minutes, Hazem Mastouri converting a Hannibal Mejbri assist to spark a flicker of belief. That hope was short-lived. On 62 minutes Jan Paul van Hecke restored the two-goal cushion, nodding home from a Tijjani Reijnders delivery to make it 3-1.

From there the changes came thick and fast. Tunisia reshuffled around the hour mark, with Mohamed Hadj Mahmoud, Elias Achouri and Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida all introduced. The Netherlands rotated freely too, sending on Teun Koopmeiners, Justin Kluivert and Crysencio Summerville together on 72 minutes, before Memphis Depay replaced goalscorer Brobbey and Noa Lang came on for Cody Gakpo. No cards were shown all night, a clean game refereed by Katia García of Mexico.

Right winner, and the scoreline nearly nailed

The futbol.so community leaned towards the Netherlands here, and reality obliged. The most popular scoreline among predictors was a 2-0 Dutch win, which read the direction of travel correctly even if Tunisia's late consolation and van Hecke's header nudged the final tally to 3-1.

It was a similar picture across the regional pools. Fans in Colombia and Spain also favoured the Netherlands, while in Argentina opinion was split — and notably, the most-chosen Argentine scoreline of 3-0 to the Dutch landed closest to the actual margin. The official forecast had the Netherlands as overwhelming favourites and pointed to exactly this 3-1 result, a prediction borne out almost to the letter.

Video highlights

Brian Brobbey Goal | Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Jan Paul van Hecke Goal | Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands

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Post-Match Player Interviews: Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands

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Highlights | Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Post-Match Press Conference: Tunisia's Hervé Renard On 3-1 Loss To Netherlands

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HIGHLIGHTS - Tunisia v Netherlands | Dutch look to secure top spot | FIFA World Cup 2026

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Gli ORANJE non sbagliano e chiudono da primi: Tunisia-Paesi Bassi 1-3 | FIFA World Cup | DAZN

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Netherlands On Playing Tunisia | Ronald Koeman & Ryan Gravenberch Take Questions

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Tunisia Train Before Netherlands | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Tunisia 🆚 Netherlands #FIFAWorldCupOnYT #shorts #worldcup

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World Cup: Tunisia vs Netherlands

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World Cup: Tunisia vs Netherlands

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World Cup: Tunisia vs Netherlands

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A clinical, professional night for the Netherlands, who finish Group F top of the pile with maximum command and a place in the Round of 32 secured. For Tunisia, a chastening end to their group campaign without a point on the board.

Attention now turns to the knockout draw, where the Dutch will discover their last-32 opponent. On this evidence, they look in ominous shape.