Van Hecke shines at both ends as Netherlands ease past Tunisia

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·26 Juni 2026

Van Hecke shines at both ends as Netherlands ease past Tunisia

Netherlands secured first place in Group F with a comfortable 3-1 victory over already-eliminated Tunisia in Kansas. An own goal from captain Ellyes Skhiri in the third minute and Brian Brobbey's close-range finish four minutes later gave Ronald Koeman's side early control they never relinquished.

Hazem Mastouri's header briefly gave Tunisia hope at 1-2, but Jan Paul van Hecke restored the two-goal cushion within eight minutes. The Dutch now face Morocco in the last sixteen after dominating with 72 percent possession. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Tunisia v Netherlands.

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Winners

Jan Paul van Hecke (Netherlands)

The centre-back delivered the standout individual performance of the match, combining defensive dominance with a decisive attacking contribution. His 62nd-minute header from Tijjani Reijnders' corner restored Netherlands' two-goal cushion just eight minutes after Tunisia had pulled one back, extinguishing any faint hopes of a comeback.

Van Hecke won practically every direct duel against Tunisia's forward line throughout the 90 minutes. His reading of the game and physical presence stifled the opposition's limited attacking efforts, while an important intervention at 53 minutes saw him block a dangerous cross and concede only a corner.

His complete display at both ends encapsulated Netherlands' controlled approach in their final group match. The goal and defensive solidity helped secure top spot in Group F and set up a last-sixteen meeting with Morocco, with Koeman's backline looking well-organised heading into knockout football.

Brian Brobbey (Netherlands)

The striker's seventh-minute goal effectively settled the contest before it had truly begun. Arriving at the far post to meet Virgil van Dijk's headed assist, Brobbey finished with his right foot to make it 2-0 and establish the platform for a comfortable Dutch victory in Kansas.

Beyond the goal, Brobbey provided an excellent focal point for Netherlands' attacks throughout his 77 minutes on the pitch. His hold-up play troubled Tunisia's centre-backs repeatedly, winning the majority of physical duels and bringing teammates into dangerous areas with intelligent layoffs, including one at 68 minutes that led to a chance saved by Aymen Dahmen.

His early strike combined with Skhiri's own goal meant Netherlands could control the tempo without needing to force the issue. Brobbey's physical presence and movement gave Koeman's side a reliable outlet, allowing the midfield to dictate play before he made way for Memphis Depay with the job done.

Loser

Ellyes Skhiri (Tunisia)

The Tunisia captain's evening was defined by an unfortunate own goal in just the third minute. Attempting to clear a cross from the Dutch right flank, Skhiri instead turned the ball into his own net to give Netherlands an immediate lead and put his already-eliminated side on the back foot from the outset.

The error marked Tunisia's tenth goal conceded across three group matches, compounding the heavy defeats to Sweden and Japan that had preceded this fixture. Though Skhiri continued as a midfield presence for the remainder of the game, attempting to organise play and help his team recover, the early setback had already shaped the contest.

With Netherlands doubling their lead through Brobbey just four minutes after the own goal, any realistic prospect of Tunisia competing for a result had evaporated before ten minutes were played. Skhiri's misfortune set the tone for a difficult final group-stage outing under Herve Renard.