World Cup 2026: Netherlands thrash Sweden 5-1

20.06.26 FT World Cup

Netherlands

5

:

Sweden

1

The match concluded at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Netherlands steamrolled Sweden 5-1 to seize the top spot in Group B at the 2026 World Cup.

Bryan Brobbey, the man of the first half

The Dutch didn’t waste any time. From the outset, the Oranje pressed Sweden hard. In the 5th minute, Cody Gakpo set up Bryan Brobbey to open the scoring. The Sunderland striker returned to rattle the net again just 12 minutes later. From a Denzel Dumfries cross, he bagged his brace. 2-0 after just 17 minutes, and the Dutch were in total command.

Cody Gakpo, the star of the second half

The Dutch machine kept rolling after the break. In the 47th minute, Dumfries returned the favor to Gakpo, who finished clinically for the third. Just seven minutes later, Crysencio Summerville delivered a perfect pass, and Gakpo slotted home his second to make it 4-0. The Liverpool winger turned his assist into a personal brace.

Sweden tried to respond. In the 59th minute, Anthony Elanga capitalized on a defensive lapse to pull one back. It was a morale-boosting response from a side that had crushed Tunisia 5-1 just three days earlier.

But the final word belonged to the Netherlands. In the closing moments, Memphis Depay threaded a perfect through ball to Summerville in behind. The West Ham winger put the finishing touch on the festival with a fifth for the Netherlands.

The Dutch impress

After a thrilling 2-2 draw with Japan, this emphatic display gives the Oranje their first World Cup victory. With three different goal scorers and a variety of assist providers, the team delivered a textbook collective performance.
The Netherlands now lead Group F with four points and a +4 goal difference, awaiting the Tunisia vs Japan clash at 4am GMT on Sunday.

Nafongo TRAORE |

News Editorfr, ar, en

Nafongon Moussa TRAORE, Burkinabè de 25 ans, est passionné de football, est rédacteur pour Foot Africa et commentateur pour BurkiFoot.

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