Netherlands secured the top spot in World Cup Group F on Thursday with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia in Kansas City, ensuring they avoid a last-32 clash with Brazil and will instead face Morocco in Monterrey on Monday.

The Dutch flew into an early lead at Arrowhead Stadium after Tunisia's Ellyes Skhiri sliced a Denzel Dumfries cross into his own net in the third minute.

Minutes later, Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey lashed home his third goal of the tournament following a header from Virgil van Dijk.

While Tunisia managed to pull a goal back in the 54th minute when Hazem Mastouri headed home from a Hannibal Mejbri corner, the Netherlands restored their two-goal cushion shortly after the hour mark through a Jan Paul van Hecke header that found the net via a deflection.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman warned against complacency following the result, stating, "We need to prepare for Morocco first because it will be a big game. It's a good team with a lot of quality and they can score easily. We know that from Dutch football." Tunisia, meanwhile, departs the tournament after a difficult campaign in which they conceded 12 goals in three matches.

Reflecting on the team's performance, veteran coach Herve Renard said, "We were not at the level for this World Cup. This is clear. There is no discussion. It's a big tournament with very good teams, especially in this group. It was a very tough group. And now, the federation of Tunisia needs to sit down and analyse everything."

In Arlington, Texas, Japan secured second place in the group after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Sweden, setting up a last-32 showdown against Brazil.

Following a scoreless first half, Japan’s Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda broke the deadlock in the 56th minute after being played in by Ritsu Doan.

Sweden responded quickly, with Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga leveling the score six minutes later with a left-footed strike from outside the box.

Despite late pressure from Sweden, including efforts from Alexander Isak and Elanga, Japan held on to progress to the knockout stages. Sweden also advanced as one of the eight best third-placed finishers.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu acknowledged the challenge ahead against Brazil, noting that his team’s previous friendly victory over them in October might provide extra motivation for their opponents.

"Perhaps because of that match, they will be motivated even more. Yet we do believe that there's a chance for us to win. And then we hope that we will be able to move one step further and get to the next stage," Moriyasu said.

For Sweden, coach Graham Potter was pleased with his side's resilience, remarking, "The boys were fantastic. Over the course of the game it was a pretty fair result and arguably we were slightly the better team in the second half."

As Sweden looks toward their next opponent, Potter added, "It's a tricky one. We need to be on our toes in terms of logistics, that's the fun part of the tournament."