Netherlands crowned Group F winners, Sweden and Japan into knock-outs

FootballSports
26 Jun 2026 • 1:21 PM MYT
DPA International
DPA International

DPA, founded in 1949, one of the world’s leading independent news agencies

The Netherlands have defeated Tunisia 3-1 on Thursday to advance to the World Cup knock-out stage as Group F winners, while Japan and Sweden are also through after a 1-1 draw.

The Netherlands will now face Morocco in the round of 32, while Japan will take on Brazil.

"Now come the big games. Now we have to be ready," Netherlands' goalscorer Jan Paul Van Hecke said.

Sweden advanced as one of the best eight third-placed teams but must wait until the end of the group stage to find out their next opponent.

"I really wanted to win today, but I think a point was enough in the end. And listen, I'm really proud of the whole team," Sweden's goalscorer Anthony Elanga said.

The Dutch team were gifted an early lead after Ellys Skhiri turned the ball into his own goal in the third minute when trying to clear a low cross from Denzel Dumpfries.

Just four minutes later, they added a second. Captain Virgil van Dijk won a header inside the box from a free-kick and Brian Brobbey smashed the ball into the net.

Tunisia pulled one back in the 54th with Hazem Mastouri heading home from a corner, but Van Hecke's header also from a corner restored the Netherlands' two-goal lead and sealed the win in the 62nd.

"I expect a great team with strong football skills, but also with weaknesses," Van Dijk said of the next match against Morocco.

"We have to try to take advantage of those. I'm really looking forward to it, these are great games."

In Dallas, Japan fired first and took the lead in the 56th through Daizen Maeda. Ayase Ueda sent a ball through the Swedish defence and found Maeda, who finished in style.

But Sweden scored the equalizer in the 62nd. Elanga picked up the ball on the right, cut inside and unleashed a unstoppable strike into the Japanese goal.

Alexander Isak almost grabbed a winner for Sweden in stoppage-time but his glancing header was deflected onto the crossbar.

"The first half was a tight match. On the other hand, in the second half we got the lead, but after conceding the equalizer, the momentum shifted to the opponent," Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki said.

"Despite that, I think we achieved what was important – conceding the minimum, not losing, and securing at least a point. Being able to carry this unbeaten momentum into the Brazil match next is definitely positive."

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