Netherlands vs Tunisia was paused at the start of the second half because Tunisia had only 10 players on the pitch. The Netherlands were already 2-0 up at the break, but play could not restart until the missing player arrived.
Koeman Objects on the Sideline
Ronald Koeman was furious on the touchline and made his feelings known to Juan Gabriel Benítez and the Tunisia bench. The delay came when the countdown to the restart had already begun and Tunisia were still one short.
Referee Katia Garcia halted play once she realised the problem. Steve Wilson described the stoppage by saying, "We have to pause, Tunisia are a man light, so the countdown was a bit early. And the Tunisia player at the back was desperately trying to draw the referee's attention to the fact they only had 10 players out there. In fact, they still only have 10 players out there, they are one short."
Skhiri Arrives Late
Tunisia's players pointed out that Ellyes Skhiri was still waiting to enter the pitch. He eventually made his way on after the countdown had finished, and Wilson added, "They only have 10 players out there. Here he is, Skhiri. Better late than never."
Stephen Warnock called the situation incredible and said Koeman was furious and rightly so, adding, "How?!" and then, "It's incredible. You know that the clock is going down and you've got to be out quicker. Ronald Koeman is furious and rightly so, he's saying, "How is this happening? It's unacceptable'."
Netherlands Finish the Job
The match resumed and the Netherlands won 3-1. Hazem Mastouri scored for Tunisia nine minutes into the second half, but Jan Paul van Hecke restored the Netherlands' two-goal lead eight minutes later.
The result left the Netherlands as Group F winners with seven points after three group matches, and they will meet Morocco in the round of 32 on Tuesday. The stoppage itself will linger as the strangest moment in a game the Netherlands still finished with control.
