Netherlands and Japan Secure World Cup Knockout Spots, Sweden Likely Advances

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 Group F 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?

Isak got his head to a corner but Suzuki did well to keep it out. Seven minutes of stoppage time were added in Dallas, and five minutes in Kansas City.

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

In Kansas City, the Netherlands were in cruise control. Denzel Dumfries drove forward and whipped a deep cross into the penalty area. Aymen Dahmen came and flapped at the ball, but his indecision went unpunished. The Netherlands took off another of their big guns, with Cody Gakpo making way for Noa Lang.

Both sides made changes in the Japan vs Sweden game. The most notable change for Japan was 39-year-old Yūto Nagatomo coming on, marking his fifth World Cup appearance.

With the game entering its final quarter, and with top spot in Group F the Netherlands' to lose, Dutch boss Ronald Koeman turned to his bench for the first time. Teun Koopmeiners, Crysencio Summerville and Justin Kluivert came on, with Tijjani Reijnders, Frenkie de Jong and Donyell Malen making way.

The Netherlands went very close to netting a fourth. With Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen off his line, Tijjani Reijnders attempted a cute little lob from the edge of the penalty area. The ball fell onto the crossbar, bounces back into play, and the Dutch were unable to force it in.

Alexander Isak with a powerful low shot was denied by Japan keeper Zion Suzuki.

Sweden were only behind for six minutes after Japan's goal, with Anthony Elanga's stunning strike.

The Oranje restored their two-goal lead from a corner kick, with central defender Jan Paul van Hecke flicking on at the near post. This one may well go down as an own goal, with the final touch coming from a Tunisian head.

Japan's brilliant team goal was scored by Daizen Maeda after neat one-touch passing and a killer through-ball by Ritsu Doan.

Sweden keeper Zetterström made a stunning save to deny Japan's Ayase Ueda, but the flag was up for offside.

Tunisia scored when Hannibal Mejbri whipped in a wonderfully weighted corner from the right and Hazem Mastouri headed it into the net. This was due to terrible defending from the Netherlands. VAR confirmed the goal.

The second half of the Netherlands vs Tunisia game began with the Netherlands dictating possession. Denzel Dumfries had the Oranje's first meaningful opportunity, but his volley was blocked by a Tunisian body.