World Cup: Netherlands top group, Japan seal second
Join the Ligue 1 McDonald's team as we look back at the two final Group F matches between Japan and Sweden and Tunisia and the Netherlands.
Japan 1-1 Sweden
In Dallas, a draw between the Samurai Blue and Sweden assured Japan of progress by virtue of their finishing second, while allowing Sweden a great chances of being one of the best-placed third place teams. For Japan, Le Havre defender Ayumu Seko was in the eleven alongside Reims winger Keito Nakamura. Former Lille defender Gabriel Gudmundsson started for Sweden, who had more clear-cut chances despite Japan dominating possession. In the second half, former Marseille fullback Yuto Nagatomo came off the bench, making his fifth World Cup appearance.
Nakamura had the only good chance of the first half, forcing a good save from the Swedish 'keeper, but it wouldn't be until just before the hour that Daizen Maeda opened the scoring, getting on the end of a brilliant through ball by Ritsu Doan. Sweden would answer through Anthony Elanga's brilliant curling effort (62'), but the match's defining moment was perhaps Zion Suzuki's big save in added time, denying Alexander Isak. With the draw, Japan will face Brazil on Monday in Houston, while Sweden will await the outcome of the rest of the group stages over the next three days to find out their opponent, but their place is secure.
Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands
In Kansas City, Tunisia exited the tournament with a whimper, losing their third match in a row and finishing with a goal differential of -10. For the Dutch, former Ligue 1 McDonald's players Memphis Depay (Lyon) and Justin Kluivert (Nice) came off the bench, while for the Eagles of Carthage, in defense FC Lorient's Montassar Talbi and Nice's Ali Abdi started alongside former Montpellier midfielder Ellyes Skhiri, who unfortunately scored an own goal after just three minutes.
The Netherlands had a second four minutes later through Brian Brobbey, and while Tunisia would score just before the hour, the result was never in doubt, as the Oranje comfortably topped the group and will face Morocco on Monday in Monterrey, Mexico.
