Japan and Sweden booked their places in the knockout phase of the World Cup 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.
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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. The Dutch started at a red-hot pace, 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.
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Japan delivered a commanding 4-0 win over Tunisia in the World Cup’s 1,000th match to move to the brink of the knockout stages, while the North Africans were eliminated after a second successive defeat in Group F. Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after four minutes, bundling home Keito Nakamura’s low cross from close range, before Ayase Ueda doubled Japan’s lead in the 30th minute with a fierce low drive into the far corner.
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Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scored two each as the Netherlands cruised to a 5-1 victory over Sweden to go top of World Cup Group F. Oranje boss Ronald Koeman sprang something of a surprise by selecting Brobbey ahead of Crysencio Summerville, a goalscorer in their opening 2-2 draw with Japan, but the decision was quickly vindicated as the striker scored twice in the opening 17 minutes. Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Graham Potter’s Sweden just before the hour, substitute Summerville had the final say in the 90th minute.
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Brighton’s Yasin Ayari struck twice and Alexander Isak was on target as Sweden proved too strong for Tunisia and sealed a 5-1 win in their World Cup opener. Isak put his injury-wrecked first season with Liverpool behind him, grabbing Sweden’s second goal before seizing on a defensive mishap to provide Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres with the third.
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