Netherlands thrash Sweden 5-1 in Houston as Brobbey and Gakpo both score twice

Opening barrage

The Netherlands took the lead after six minutes when Brian Brobbey turned in a Cody Gakpo pass from close range. Eleven minutes later Brobbey struck again, this time converting a Denzel Dumfries cross to make it 2-0. The Dutch exploited the flanks relentlessly, with Dumfries and Gakpo repeatedly getting behind Sweden's back three. Sweden responded through Viktor Gyökeres and Yasin Ayari but found goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in fine form, while a Gustaf Lagerbielke header was ruled out for offside before the break.

Relentless second half

The pattern continued immediately after half-time. In the 48th minute Dumfries delivered another cross from the right and Gakpo slotted home at the far post for 3-0. Six minutes later Gakpo cut inside from the left and finished superbly to make it 4-0. Sweden pulled one back through Anthony Elanga in the 59th minute, but substitute Crysencio Summerville sealed the rout with a shot from outside the box in the 89th minute.

Tactical mismatch

Graham Potter set Sweden up with three central defenders, but Ronald Koeman's side repeatedly overloaded the wide areas. The opening goal came from a left-wing move, the second from a right-wing cross, and the third again from a Dumfries delivery down the right. Sweden's defence, marshalled by Isak Hien, lost track of Brobbey for both first-half goals. In midfield Frenkie de Jong knitted play together, with almost every Dutch move passing through him.

Group 6 picture

The win lifts the Netherlands to four points and first place in Group 6, after their opening 2-2 draw with Japan. Sweden, who began their campaign by beating Tunisia 5-1, stay on three points. In the final round the Dutch face Tunisia while Sweden meet Japan, with the knockout stage places still to be decided.