Hazem Mastouri gave Tunisia hope in the second half with a clinical header to make it 2-1 against Netherlands in their FIFA World Cup Group F encounter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Mastouri met a Hannibal Mejbri cross from a corner in the 54th minute, directing his header to the bottom left corner to halve the deficit and spark renewed belief for the Eagles of Carthage.

Netherlands' early dominance

Netherlands had looked comfortable before Tunisia's reply. Ellyes Skhiri gifted the Dutch the lead with an own goal in the 3rd minute, turning the ball into his own net under pressure.

Brian Brobbey then doubled the advantage just four minutes later, finishing from the centre of the box with a right-footed effort into the top right corner, assisted by a headed pass from Virgil van Dijk following a set piece.

Tunisia fight back

Tunisia showed spirit throughout the half, with Hannibal Mejbri and Ismaël Gharbi both testing Netherlands in open play. Goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen also kept his side in the match with several important stops, denying Tijjani Reijnders at close range from a Donyell Malen assist.

Netherlands continued to threaten on the counter, with Denzel Dumfries and Cody Gakpo among those going close, but Tunisia's goal has set up a tense finish to the Group F contest.