In Group A, the Netherlands finished top of the pile after a comfortable 2-0 win over hosts Qatar, who were already eliminated, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch the lead in the 26^th minute as he dribbled the ball into the penalty area and slid the ball into the net, in the process scoring a third goal in as many World Cup games.

Early in the second half the Netherlands doubled their advantage as after Memphis Depay had a shot saved from close range, Frenkie de Jong reacted the quickest to finish the rebound into an unguarded net.

In the other Group A match, Senegal faced Ecuador in a match that would decide the second team to qualify.

Senegal ran out 2-1 winners at the Khalifa International Stadium in a match they had to win to overtake their opponents and qualify for the knockout stages.

Senegal took the lead from the penalty spot just before the break when Ismaila Sarr, who won the spot-kick after being fouled, stepped up and scored for the Lions.

Midway through the second half the complexion of the match changed again with Ecuador levelling through Moises Caicedo who found himself unmarked from a corner and scored from close range.

Two minutes later came the decisive twist in the match, with Senegal retaking the lead from a corner, as Kalidou Koulibaly stormed in at the far post to make it 2-1.

Victory ensured Senegal qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 2002, while Ecuador were eliminated.

In Group B, England secured top spot with a comfortable 3-0 win over Wales at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha.

Two goals in two minutes early in the second half secured the win for England, with a well-placed free-kick from Marcus Rashford breaking the deadlock in the 50^th minute.

Just a minute later England netted again, with a low cross from Harry Kane finished by Phil Foden to make it 2-0.

Rashford sealed the victory with 20 minutes remaining, with a mazy run and fizzing shots that went into the net off the legs of Wales keeper Danny Ward making it 3-0.

Elsewhere in Group B, the United States secured their last-16 place with a narrow 1-0 win over Iran at the Al Thumama Stadium.

Knowing they needed a win to overtake their opponents in the group, the United States started on the front foot and earned the crucial breakthrough in the 38^th minute.

A header across goal from Sergino Dest was converted from close range by the incoming Christian Pulisic to give the US a lead they maintained.

Iran came close to a dramatic leveller in second half added time, however a header from Morteza Pouraliganji flew half a yard wide of the post.

Today’s results mean the first two last 16 ties have been confirmed, with the United States facing the Netherlands on Saturday (December 3) and England taking on Senegal on Sunday (December 4).