Chennai, June 25:
Tunisia against Netherlands is a match defined by contrasting circumstances before a ball is kicked.
Tunisia arrive in Kansas City already eliminated, having shipped nine goals in their two group games, and face a Netherlands side that has beaten Sweden 5-1 and played Japan to a 2-2 draw.
The Dutch carry genuine attacking firepower from front to back, and head coach Ronald Koeman has strong motivation to rotate carefully while still pressing for a big win that could influence the group’s final standings.
For Tunisia, the task is to avoid further embarrassment and find something positive to take from a difficult campaign.
Netherlands, for their part, will want to put on a performance that reinforces their group-topping status. A dominant result here would also help settle nerves ahead of the knockout rounds, should Japan snatch top spot on goal difference.