Netherlands overwhelm Sweden 5-1 as Brobbey and Gakpo each score twice
A first-half brace from Brian Brobbey and two more goals by Cody Gakpo powered the Netherlands to a dominant 5-1 victory over Sweden at NRG Stadium, sending the Oranje to the top of World Cup Group F.
Fast start and Brobbey double
The Dutch, held to a 2-2 draw by Japan in their opener, came out aggressively. In the 5th minute, Cody Gakpo’s low cross from the left found Brian Brobbey, who tapped in to make it 1-0. Twelve minutes later, Denzel Dumfries delivered from the right and Brobbey slid in to score his second. Sweden, who had thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in their first match, struggled to contain the Dutch attack.
Halftime drama and Sweden’s disallowed goal
Sweden rallied in the closing quarter of the first half, with Viktor Gyokeres forcing saves from Bart Verbruggen. In the 44th minute, Gustaf Lagerbielke headed home a free-kick, but referee Michael Oliver disallowed the goal for offside after a VAR review. The score remained 2-0 at the break.
Second-half onslaught
Just two minutes into the second half, Dumfries again set up a goal, squaring for Gakpo to finish from close range. Seven minutes later, Gakpo seized on a Swedish turnover and fired low past Kristoffer Nordfeldt. The 4-0 lead was the 100th goal of the tournament.
- Brian Brobbey opens scoring for Netherlands (5')
- Brobbey slots home second from Dumfries cross (17')
- Sweden's Gustaf Lagerbielke header disallowed for offside (44')
- Cody Gakpo makes it 3-0 from Dumfries assist (47')
- Gakpo grabs his second after a Swedish turnover (54')
- Anthony Elanga pulls one back for Sweden (59')
- Crysencio Summerville adds fifth with a low strike (89')
Sweden’s response and late Dutch exclamation
Swedish coach Graham Potter introduced Anthony Elanga, and the substitute scored within four minutes, racing onto Alexander Isak’s through ball. But the Netherlands remained in control. In the 89th minute, substitute Crysencio Summerville dribbled through and drilled a shot into the net to complete the 5-1 rout.
Group F implications
The result lifts the Netherlands to four points, top of the group with a +4 goal difference. Sweden stays on three points with an even goal record. Japan (one point) and Tunisia (zero) each have a game in hand ahead of their Sunday meeting.
