The Netherlands finished the World Cup group stage on top of Group F as they chalked up a comfortable 3-1 victory over Tunisia in Kansas City, avoiding a last 32 clash with Brazil to set up a meeting with Morocco instead.
Japan and Sweden booked their places in the knockout phase as they drew 1-1 in their final Group F clash in Dallas.
The point sends Japan through in second place behind the Netherlands with Sweden top of the third-place teams, dealing another blow to Scotland’s hopes of reaching the last 32.
The Dutch started at a red-hot pace in their game, taking just seven minutes to establish a 2-0 lead.
Ronald Koeman’s side went ahead in the third minute courtesy of an Ellyes Skhiri own goal, after he lashed out at a cross and inadvertently tipped the ball into the back of his own net.
Brian Brobbey doubled the advantage minutes later, turning home Virgil van Dijk’s headed knockdown from a free-kick.
The Netherlands looked comfortable holding onto their advantage, but were snapped awake early in the second half when a Tunisia corner found Hazem Mastouri, who duly headed it into the bottom-left corner.
The response from the Dutch was almost immediate, Jan Paul van Hecke restoring their advantage with a headed corner of his own.
Tunisia had some sporadic chances from there, but were ultimately unable to trouble the scoreline any further as they headed out without a point and the Dutch cruised into the last 32.
Dutch coach Ronald Koeman declared himself “happy”, saying: “I wanted first place in the group, and we finished that way.
