World Cup: Netherlands, Sweden, and Australia Secure Places in Last 32 as Knockout Stage Takes Shape

The knockout phase of the World Cup has begun to take a definitive shape as several nations confirmed their advancement to the Last 32 following a series of decisive group stage results. The Netherlands emerged as one of the most dominant sides, finishing at the top of Group F after a convincing 3-1 victory over Tunisia. Meanwhile, tactical draws in other fixtures saw Sweden, Japan, Australia, and Paraguay all secure their progression, setting the stage for a highly competitive second round of the tournament.

In a standout performance, the Netherlands cemented their title credentials with a fluid attacking display against Tunisia. An early own goal by Ellyes Skhiri gave the Dutch the lead, which was quickly doubled by Brian Brobbey. Although Tunisia's Hazem Mastouri managed to pull one back, Jan Paul van Hecke's second-half strike ensured the victory despite pre-match weather warnings. The result marks the end of a difficult campaign for Tunisia, who exit the tournament after three defeats, while the Netherlands now prepare for a challenging encounter against Morocco in the next round.

Sweden and Japan also confirmed their places in the Last 32 following a hard-fought draw. After a quiet first half, Japan took the lead through Daizen Maeda, but the response from Sweden was immediate. Manchester United-linked Anthony Elanga scored a spectacular equalizer to secure the point Sweden needed. Under the guidance of coach Graham Potter, the Swedish side showed significant resilience to recover from early pressure. However, analysts suggest the team must bolster their defensive line if they are to survive a potential upcoming clash against top-tier opponents like France.

Completing the round's action, Australia and Paraguay played out a goalless draw in San Francisco that satisfied the objectives of both teams. Australia entered the match needing only a single point to qualify as runners-up and maintained tactical discipline throughout. While Paraguay improved in the second half following a change in formation, they remained cautious, ultimately settling for the draw. This result sets Australia up for a clash against the runners-up of the group featuring Egypt, Iran, and Belgium, while Paraguay is slated to face the formidable Group E winners, Germany, in the next phase of the competition.