Tunisia
Netherlands
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City hosts a Group F finale with nothing on the line for Tunisia, already mathematically eliminated, and everything to play for the Netherlands, who can confirm top spot with a win or anything better than a heavy defeat. It's been a chaotic few weeks behind the scenes for Tunisia, a sacked coach, a federation in turmoil and a squad that's conceded nine goals in two games, and Thursday is purely about salvaging some pride.
Tunisia — Eagles of Carthage
Herve Renard, brought in after Sabri Lamouchi was fired following the 5-1 opening loss to Sweden, couldn't arrest the slide in his first game in charge, with Tunisia failing to register a single shot on target in a 4-0 defeat to Japan. The lineup pencilled in here switches away from the back five used in that game to a flat back four: Yan Valery and Ali Abdi, the squad's top scorer with seven international goals, continue at full-back, with Omar Rekik and Montassar Talbi in the middle ahead of Aymen Dahman. Hannibal Mejbri takes the creative midfield role with Ellyes Skhiri and Anis Ben Slimane alongside him, while Sebastian Tounekti and Elias Achouri support Firas Chaouat up front rather than the Saad-led front three some had expected.
Tunisia have won just three of 20 World Cup matches in their history and only one of 13 against European nations. Another heavy defeat here would make them the first side ever to lose three group games by four or more goals in a single tournament, a record nobody in Tunis will want to see written.
Netherlands — Oranje
Ronald Koeman's side were ruthless in a 5-1 win over Sweden, Brian Brobbey scoring twice to settle any nerves before Cody Gakpo added a brace of his own. The lineup pencilled in here has Quinten Timber still out after the concussion that ruled him out last time, with Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch continuing as the double pivot rather than Frenkie de Jong reclaiming his place, and Jan Paul van Hecke deputising at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Brobbey carries a knock from the Sweden game but is expected to start regardless, with Justin Kluivert and Crysencio Summerville in behind him rather than Donyell Malen, who'd been tipped by some reports to start instead. The Dutch are unbeaten in three meetings with Tunisia and have never lost a World Cup match against African opposition, a record that looks safe against a side already eliminated and low on confidence.
Predicted Lineups
Group F Permutations
Tunisia are already bottom of the group regardless of this result. The Netherlands secure top spot outright with a win, and even a draw is enough to confirm qualification as at least runners-up. Japan and Sweden, playing simultaneously, are both chasing the Dutch result: a Netherlands win or draw effectively settles the group's top two barring a major swing in goals scored elsewhere.
Key Battle
Cody Gakpo vs Tunisia's reshuffled back line. Tunisia have switched formation and personnel in search of any kind of defensive answer, and Gakpo's movement between the lines is exactly the sort of thing that exposes a defence still finding its feet together. Stop him, and Tunisia have a fighting chance of avoiding a third heavy defeat.
Prediction
Tunisia have offered very little across two games and there's nothing in their recent form to suggest a turnaround is coming, even with the system change. The Dutch should be clinical and comfortable in confirming top spot.
Tunisia 0–3 Netherlands — Brobbey, Gakpo, Kluivert
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