Netherlands overwhelm Sweden 5-1 as Brobbey and Gakpo bag braces in Houston
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo both scored twice as the Netherlands bounced back from an opening draw to demolish Sweden 5-1 and move top of World Cup Group F.
Brobbey's dream start
Ronald Koeman handed Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey his first start of the tournament in place of Crysencio Summerville, and the 24-year-old repaid the faith within five minutes. After a sweeping move involving Bart Verbruggen, Tijjani Reijnders and Gakpo, Brobbey stabbed in from close range. Twelve minutes later he doubled the lead, guiding a deflected Denzel Dumfries cross past Kristoffer Nordfeldt. The early blows left Sweden shell-shocked and, despite growing into the game midway through the first half, they could not find a way past Verbruggen.
The impact or influence of the substitutions was not positive and I am accountable for that of course. I accept criticism towards me.
Gakpo seals the win
Having assisted the opener, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo took centre stage after the break. He made it 3-0 in the 47th minute, converting another Dumfries delivery, and seven minutes later cut in from the left to fire a powerful finish past Nordfeldt. The winger's brace all but ended the contest before the hour mark.
- Brian Brobbey opens the scoring from close range
- Brobbey converts a deflected cross for his second
- Cody Gakpo makes it 3-0 from a Dumfries delivery
- Gakpo cuts inside and fires in the fourth
- Anthony Elanga pulls one back for Sweden
- Crysencio Summerville seals the 5-1 win
Sweden's missed chances
Although Anthony Elanga pulled one back with a composed finish just before the hour, Sweden were wasteful in front of goal. Viktor Gyökeres, who had scored in the 5-1 win over Tunisia, was denied three times by Verbruggen, while Yasin Ayari twice failed to hit the target and Gustaf Lagerbielke saw a first-half header ruled out for offside. The attacking duo of Gyökeres and Alexander Isak, tipped to trouble any defence, were kept largely quiet.
Koeman's tactical tweaks
After his substitutions backfired in the 2-2 draw with Japan, Koeman's decision to start Brobbey and shift Donyell Malen wide paid clear dividends. The Dutch pressed higher and attacked with variety, targeting Sweden's flanks. The coach had vowed to manage his bench better and, with the win sealed, was able to bring on Summerville, who added a fifth goal in the 89th minute.
What it means for the group
The result leaves the Netherlands on four points at the top of Group F, ahead of Sweden on three. Japan and Tunisia play later on Saturday, but Oranje are now firm favourites to reach the knockout stages. Sweden, who demolished Tunisia by the same scoreline, must regroup before facing Japan on Tuesday.
