Tunisia 1–3 Netherlands: Eagles exit World Cup without a point after Kansas City defeat

Tunisia's 2026 World Cup campaign ended in a third successive defeat on Thursday 25 June as the Netherlands beat the Carthage Eagles 3–1 at Kansas City Stadium to top Group F and advance to the knockout stage.

The Netherlands clinched top spot in Group F and set up a Round of 32 meeting with Morocco in Monterrey on 29 June as they overcame Tunisia at Kansas City Stadium. The Netherlands, who finished their group fixtures with seven points, pipped Japan to top spot in Group F.

The result condemned the Carthage Eagles to a third successive defeat, leaving them without a point from a campaign that unravelled almost from the first whistle.

Two goals in seven minutes

Ronald Koeman's men needed just three minutes to break the deadlock against their already-eliminated opponents, with captain Ellyes Skhiri slicing into his own net from Denzel Dumfries' cross.

A third-minute own goal from Ellyes Skhiri — the 12th of the tournament and joint-most in World Cup history — was followed by Brian Brobbey's third of the competition four minutes later to put the Dutch in command.

Just four minutes later Brobbey smashed home his third goal of the World Cup after Virgil van Dijk headed across goal following a Tijjani Reijnders free-kick. The Eagles of Carthage, who had endured a challenging tournament after heavy defeats to Sweden and Japan, had come close to scoring in the opening moments, only for Ismael Gharbi to side-foot over when well placed.

Brief revival, quickly extinguished

Tunisia pulled themselves back into the contest when Hazem Mastouri was given too much freedom in the penalty area to head home Hannibal Mejbri's corner in the 54th minute. Mastouri scored on his World Cup debut early in the second half.

The Dutch responded immediately through Jan Paul van Hecke, who glanced home Tijjani Reijnders' delivery in the 62nd minute. The Netherlands controlled the game from there as a first-half drizzle turned into a second-half downpour.

The game had started on time after a lightning storm threatened major disruption earlier in the American Midwest.

A tournament to forget

The Eagles of Carthage opened with a 5–1 loss to Sweden, which led to coach Sabri Lamouchi's firing. French coach Hervé Renard took over amid reports of tension and infighting within the team, and little seemed to have changed in a 4–0 loss to Japan the following week.

Thursday's loss extended Tunisia's winless streak to six matches. Tunisia finished the tournament having shipped 12 goals in three games.

The Netherlands won Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a methodical 3–1 win over Tunisia at a rainy Kansas City Stadium, combined with Japan and Sweden simultaneously playing to a 1–1 draw. Japan drew 1–1 against Sweden in Arlington, Texas, to confirm second spot, while the Scandinavian side also advanced as one of the eight best-placed third-place teams.

The Netherlands face Morocco in the Round of 32 in Monterrey on Monday 29 June. Tunisia's World Cup is over.