Netherlands beat Sweden 5-1 as Brobbey and Gakpo doubles send Dutch top of Group F

Brobbey's early impact

Brian Brobbey, handed a first World Cup start ahead of record scorer Memphis Depay, vindicated Ronald Koeman's selection with two goals inside 17 minutes. The 24-year-old Sunderland striker held off Isak Hien to set up a move that ended with his tap-in from a Cody Gakpo cross after five minutes, then converted a Denzel Dumfries delivery from close range. Koeman had faced criticism after a 2-2 draw with Japan but the early burst gave the Dutch a grip they never relinquished.

“I've become a better and more complete striker. Not just someone who battles with defenders, but I've improved at making runs in from behind, finding space and dropping deeper.”

Dutch dominance after the break

Cody Gakpo extended the lead with two finishes in a seven-minute spell early in the second half, cutting inside from the left to beat Kristoffer Nordfeldt at his near post and then adding a second soon after. Crysencio Summerville, on as a substitute, capped the rout with a slaloming run and neat finish in the final minute. Gakpo now has five goals in seven World Cup appearances and 23 in 52 for the Netherlands, though he hinted at a sharper role with the national side than at Liverpool.

“It's a little bit different. How I play here, where the coach wants me to be, the freedom that I have at the club,”

he said, trailing off.

Brian Brobbey2

Cody Gakpo2

Anthony Elanga1

Crysencio Summerville1

Brian Brobbey

2 goals

Cody Gakpo

2 goals

Anthony Elanga

1 goals

Crysencio Summerville

1 goals

Data from the article text

Swedish struggles

Sweden, who had opened with a 5-1 win over Tunisia, were punished for a slow start and defensive lapses. Viktor Gyökeres tested Bart Verbruggen early and Yasin Ayari spurned a clear chance, but the final pass repeatedly broke down. Anthony Elanga pulled one back in the 59th minute, yet Sweden's 16 attempts yielded only that consolation. Coach Graham Potter said the scoreline was harsh but accepted his side had lost to the better team.

“We lost to the better team, for sure. The scoreline's a little harsh on us, but sometimes that happens in football, especially with the quality of the opponent we face.”

Netherlands10

Sweden16

Netherlands

10 attempts

Sweden

16 attempts

Data from the article text

Group F picture

With four points, the Netherlands lead the group; Sweden stay on three. Japan and Tunisia were to meet later in Monterrey, making Sweden's final match against Japan a must-win for a knockout place. Koeman said the manner of the Dutch goals, scored in transition with speed, would worry future opponents.

“If you look at the goals we scored, it will inspire fear in our opponents: the way these goals came, in transition, with a lot of speed and quality, shows we can be incredibly dangerous.”