Netherlands power to win over Tunisia and set up last-32 meeting with Morocco

The Oranje bus had better get a move on. A comfortable victory over Tunisia after being sent on their way by a record-equalling 12th own goal of the tournament and further strikes from Brian Brobbey and Jan Paul van Hecke sealed top spot in Group F for the Netherlands ahead of Japan . Their prize is avoiding a meeting with Brazil in the last 32, with Ronald Koeman’s side now set for a mouthwatering showdown with Morocco in Monterrey instead. Having arrived in southern Texas almost a month ago and already taken in games in Dallas, Houston and Kansas City, the specially converted bus that has become a fixture at recent major tournaments now faces a journey of more than 1,000 miles before Monday’s game in northern Mexico. Numbers for the Dutch supporters’ traditional march to the stadium earlier in the day had been swelled by thousands of Kansas City locals, who usually avoid wearing anything orange because it’s the colour of the Chiefs’ NFL rivals the Denver Broncos but had made an exception for one day only. Torrential rain and lightning storms brought an early end to the pre-match festivities as the fanzone had to be closed as a shelter-in-place order was issued at the venue usually known as the Arrowhead Stadium. That was lifted an hour before kick-off as the threat of more thunder and lightning fortunately dissipated, although the exposed bowl meant ponchos were still required to combat the elements during the second half. …