The Netherlands have pipped the United States for top spot in Group E after scoring five first-half goals on their way to a 7-0 win over Vietnam in Dunedin.
The world No.9 Netherlands only needed to avoid defeat in Tuesday's Women's World Cup match in Dunedin to reach the round of 16.
But with top spot in Group E up for grabs - and with it avoiding a daunting round-of-16 assignment against world No.3 Sweden - the Netherlands unleashed a first-half masterclass for the ages.
The US started the day in top spot - equal on points with the Netherlands but two goals ahead on goal difference.
But the 2019 champions were held to a 0-0 draw by Portugal on Tuesday, handing the Netherlands top spot.
Even if the US had beaten Portugal, the Netherlands would have still secured top spot courtesy of a far superior goal difference.
It means the Netherlands are set to face either Italy, South Africa or Argentina in the round of 16, with the US to take on Sweden, who will finish top of Group G barring a disaster of epic proportions against Argentina in their final group game on Wednesday.
Vietnam created the first two chances of Tuesday's match, but the Netherlands scored four goals inside the opening 23 minutes to put the contest to bed.
Lieke Martens started the rout in the eighth minute when she chested down a pass before lobbing goalkeeper Thi Kim Thanh Tran.
It was 2-0 in the 11th minute when Katja Snoeijs powered home a left-foot strike with only the goalkeeper ahead of her.
The best goal of the half belonged to Esmee Brugts, who unleashed a mesmerising strike from outside the box in the 18th minute that curled into the top corner.
The scoreline read 4-0 on 23 minutes when Jill Roord put away a close-range volley, and the game was bordering on embarrassing in the 45th minute when Danielle van de Donk tapped in easily following a strong save by the goalkeeper.
Brugts' first-half strike was stunning but her second goal in the 57th minute was even better.
The 20-year-old free agent intercepted the ball before unleashing a 23-yard wonder strike on the run that curled into the top corner.
Martens had a goal ruled out for offside in the 67th minute, but there was no denying Roord's 83rd-minute header.
The Netherlands became the first European side to score seven goals at a Women's World Cup since Switzerland smashed Ecuador 10-1 in 2015.
Vietnam finished their first Women's World Cup without a win and a combined 12-0 goal tally against them.
With Vietnam now exiting the tournament, their coach Mai Duc Chung (73 years 41 days) set the record for the oldest coach in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match.
