The Netherlands took a major step towards qualification for the World Cup knockout rounds after a convincing 5-1 victory against Sweden in Group F. Every goal in the match was scored by footballers who played in the Premier League last season, with Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo each finding the net twice before Crysencio Summerville added a late fifth.
Anthony Elanga scored Sweden’s only goal, but the result left Graham Potter’s side facing a decisive final group match. Meanwhile, the Dutch moved to the top of the standings with four points and strengthened their position ahead of the last round of fixtures.
Dutch attack overwhelms Sweden
Ronald Koeman’s decision to start Brobbey instead of Summerville paid off almost immediately. Just five minutes into the game, the Netherlands produced a rapid move that began with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and ended with Brobbey converting Gakpo’s low delivery after sprinting into the penalty area.
The Sunderland forward struck again 12 minutes later. Denzel Dumfries delivered another dangerous ball across goal, and Brobbey got in front of defender Isak Hien to finish from close range and double the advantage.
Sweden briefly believed they had reduced the deficit before half-time when Gustaf Lagerbielke headed into an unguarded net after reaching a free kick ahead of Verbruggen. However, the effort was ruled out for offside, allowing the Dutch to reach the interval with their two-goal cushion intact.
Gakpo and Summerville finish the job
Any hopes of a Swedish comeback were quickly extinguished after the restart. Less than two minutes into the second half, Dumfries supplied another cross from the right, and Gakpo arrived at the far post to score the third goal of the evening.
The Liverpool attacker added another in the 54th minute. Summerville, introduced at half-time, carried the ball forward before setting up Gakpo, who drove a low effort beyond Kristoffer Nordfeldt. That strike brought the tournament total to 100 goals in just 33 matches, the quickest century reached since the 1958 World Cup.
Elanga gave Sweden a moment of encouragement five minutes later when the substitute raced onto a through ball and lifted his finish over Verbruggen. The Netherlands, however, quickly regained control and eventually added another goal when Summerville completed an impressive cameo by cutting inside and placing a shot into the bottom corner.
Koeman’s changes answer criticism
Following the 2-2 draw against Japan, Koeman had faced criticism over his team’s patient attacking style and some of his tactical decisions. Against Sweden, the Dutch manager appeared determined to deliver a response, with his players attacking directly from the opening minutes and repeatedly stretching the opposition defence.
Brobbey’s presence provided a central target that had been missing in the previous match. His ability to hold the ball and link play, combined with Donyell Malen’s movement, regularly pulled Sweden’s defenders out of shape and created room for runners in wide areas.
Although Sweden improved after switching to a back four following the first-half hydration break and enjoyed a stronger spell before the interval, they were unable to make the most of several promising situations. Koeman’s own half-time adjustment proved decisive, as Summerville immediately influenced the contest with his energy, creativity, and attacking intent.
The winger helped create the third goal and later supplied the pass for Gakpo’s second strike before scoring himself. However, a late blow to the head could become a concern for the Dutch coaching staff ahead of the next match.
The qualification picture takes shape
For the second consecutive game at this tournament, the Netherlands fielded a starting line-up without a single Eredivisie player. All four scorers featured in England’s top division last season, underlining the influence of the Dutch contingent based abroad.
Sweden’s attacking duo of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres was largely kept quiet throughout the evening. While there were occasional signs of understanding between the forwards, they received little support and rarely threatened the Dutch defence.
History offers a note of caution despite the Netherlands’ strong position. Hungary remains the only nation to win their opening World Cup match by four goals or more and still fail to advance from the group stage after defeating El Salvador 10-1 in 1982. Nevertheless, the Dutch now appear firmly on course for qualification.
The Netherlands will conclude their Group F campaign against Tunisia in Kansas City on 26 June, while Sweden faces Japan at the same time in Arlington, Texas. Both matches will determine the final standings in the group.
