Netherlands Rout Sweden 5-1 as Brobbey and Gakpo Both Score Twice
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo each scored two goals as the Netherlands produced their best performance of the tournament so far, routing Sweden in Houston to top Group F.
The Netherlands produced their best performance of the tournament so far, beating Sweden 5-1 at Houston Stadium on Saturday as Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo each scored twice in a one-sided Group F win that lifted Ronald Koeman's side to the top of the standings.
Brobbey set the tone with two goals inside the opening 17 minutes, finishing chances created by quick Dutch transitions through midfield. Gakpo then added two of his own in the first 10 minutes of the second half, stretching the lead to a margin Sweden never threatened to overturn. Anthony Elanga pulled one back for the Swedes, running onto a through ball from Alexander Isak to beat goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, before substitute Crysencio Summerville swept home a fifth Dutch goal from the edge of the box in the 90th minute.
The result was a striking reversal of fortune for both sides. The Netherlands had opened their tournament with a 2-2 draw against Japan after twice surrendering the lead, while Sweden had begun with an emphatic 5-1 win of their own over Tunisia — meaning Sweden became the first team in World Cup history to win their opener by four goals and then lose their following match by an identical margin.
Saturday's win gives the Netherlands four points and control of their own fate going into their final group match against Tunisia, while Sweden sit on three points ahead of a decisive meeting with Japan. Both of those remaining fixtures will determine the two automatic qualifiers from Group F, along with any role the group's third-placed finisher might play in the race for the best-third-place berths.
For a Dutch side built around the experienced spine of captain Virgil van Dijk, the manner of victory — comprehensive, varied in its goal-scorers, and delivered without their first-choice attack misfiring — offered reassurance after an underwhelming opening result.
Sources: ESPN — Netherlands-Sweden live: World Cup 2026 latest updates · Sky Sports — World Cup 2026: Netherlands 5-1 Sweden · FIFA — Netherlands v Sweden 5-1, First Stage
