Japan and Sweden Qualify for World Cup Knockout Stage After 1-1 Draw; Netherlands Win Group F

Well, the focus is now well and truly on the Socceroos. Thanks for joining myself and Henry this morning. We've got a brand-spanking new blog to take in all the action of the Socceroos' crucial game against Paraguay. Follow updates live here.

The Netherlands get the job done against Tunisia, winning the group and booking a Round of 32 clash with Morocco. Japan finish second and will have the unenviable task of facing Brazil in the first knockout round. Sweden, finishing the group stage on four points, very likely to qualify as one of the competition's best third-placed teams.

Japan and Sweden both qualified for the World Cup knockout phase with a 1-1 draw in Dallas. Japan opened the scoring on 56 minutes with arguably the best team goal of the tournament. Daizen Maeda tucked the ball into the bottom corner after a neat one-touch passing move and a killer through-ball by Ritsu Doan. Sweden levelled on 62 minutes thanks to a stunning strike from Anthony Elanga. Elanga picked the ball up on the right, cut inside onto his left foot, then let fly with a stunning shot past the Japan keeper. Japan qualifies for the next round in second place, while Sweden also goes through as one of the best third-placed teams. Japan will face Brazil in the round of 32, while Sweden is likely to face France.

A professional performance and a routine win for the Dutch in Kansas City. They advance to the knockout stages as Group F winners and will face Morocco in the Round of 32. The story of this game was written very early, with Ellyes Skhiri turning into his own net and Brian Brobbey scoring his third goal of the tournament to have the Netherlands up 2-0 after seven minutes. Hazem Mastouri halved the deficit for Tunisia early in the second-half, but in truth, the Eagles of Carthage never really looked like getting a second. Jan Paul van Hecke's deflected header restored the Oranje's two-goal buffer and cemented their place as Group F winners. How far can this exciting, well-drilled Dutch outfit travel in North America?

Almost a winner for Sweden! Isak gets his head to a corner but Suzuki does well to keep it out. Smart save.

Seven minutes of stoppage time in Dallas.

We're into five minutes of added time in Kansas City.

More subs on for Sweden. Victor Lindelof is replaced by Carl Starfelt, while Benjamin Nygren comes on in place of Gabriel Gudmundsson. The game is rather petering out.

We're into the final 10 minutes in Kansas City. And the Netherlands are in cruise control, as Denzel Dumfries drives forward and whips a deep cross into the penalty area. Aymen Dahmen comes and flaps at the ball, but his indecision goes unpunished. The Netherlands take off another of their big guns, with Cody Gakpo making way for Noa Lang.

39yo sub on for Japan. Both sides have made changes. The most notable change, 39-year-old Yūto Nagatomo comes on for Japan. It's his fifth World Cup. It's been quite the tournament for the older players.

Koeman turns to his bench. With the game entering its final quarter, and with top spot in Group F the Netherlands' to lose, Dutch boss Ronald Koeman turns to his bench for the first time today. It's Teun Koopmeiners, Crysencio Summerville and Justin Kluivert coming on, with Tijjani Reijnders, Frenkie de Jong and Donyell Malen making way. We're back underway after a drink.

Dutch go close with a deft chip. The Netherlands are streaming forward once more and go very close to netting a fourth. With Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen off his line, Tijjani Reijnders attempts a cute little lob from the edge of the penalty area. The ball falls onto the crossbar, bounces back into play, and the Dutch are unable to force it in. And we're off for a drink in Kansas City.

Isak denied as Sweden on top. Straight away, it's almost another goal. Alexander Isak with a powerful low shot. Japan keeper Zion Suzuki does well to push it away.

A stunning goal for Sweden! WOW. Sweden were only behind for six minutes, and what a beauty! Anthony Elanga picks the ball up on the right, cuts inside onto his left foot, then lets fly with a stunning shot past the Japan keeper. It was a dull first half, but we've had two top goals in the second.

Netherlands restore their two goal lead! Some breathing space for the Netherlands in Kansas City. The Oranje restore their two-goal lead from a corner kick, with central defender Jan Paul van Hecke flicking on at the near post. Van Hecke wheels away in celebration, but this one may well go down as an own goal, with the final touch coming from a Tunisian head.

Brilliant goal by Japan! What a fantastic team goal. That could be the best team goal of the tournament. Neat one-touch passing, then a killer through-ball to Daizen Maeda, who tucks the ball into the bottom corner. The best bit of play in the game by a mile.

What a save! But the flag was up. Sweden keeper Zetterström makes a stunning save to deny Japan's Ayase Ueda. But the flag goes up for offside. It would probably have gone to VAR if it had gone in. Still a remarkable save even if it didn't count.

Tunisia scores and they're back in this one! From nowhere, Tunisia has a foothold in this game! Hannibal Mejbri whips in a wonderfully weighted corner from the right and it's Hazem Mastouri rising high and heading down and into the net. It is terrible defending from the Netherlands, with Mastouri afforded acres of space and a free header at the top of the six-yard box. There's a slight delay in getting the game back underway, with VAR combing through the footage, but that one won't be ruled out. The Eagles of Carthage half the deficit in Kansas City.

Dumfries goes close for the Netherlands! The second half has begun in a similar fashion to how the first period ended, with the Netherlands dictating possession and Tunisia dropping very deep. Denzel Dumfries has the Oranje's first meaningful opportunity of the half. Forward from right back, Dumfries catches his volley sweetly, but the shot is blocked by a Tunisian body.