Netherlands demolish Sweden 5:1 and take over the lead in Group F

Brobbey, a former professional at RB Leipzig, added his second goal in the 17th minute and thus settled the matter early. Sweden, which had come into the match full of confidence after its biggest World Cup win in 88 years – a 5:1 against Tunisia – found hardly any answer against the Dutch pressing and the consistent 4-3-3 system with Brobbey, Cody Gakpo, and Donyell Malen in attack.

Shortly before the break, the Scandinavians had already headed the would-be equalizer through Gustaf Lagerbielke from a Benjamin Nygren free kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside (45'). Earlier, Viktor Gyökeres, Sweden's powerful striker, had tested Bart Verbruggen in the 37th minute and in first-half stoppage time (45'+3), with the goalkeeper able to defuse both attempts.

Gakpo and Dumfries add to the tally

After the restart, the Netherlands struck decisively. Cody Gakpo, club teammate of Virgil van Dijk and Alexander Isak at FC Liverpool, scored in the 47th and 54th minutes to make it a temporary 4:0 and crowned his strong performance with a brace. "Alle Tore waren wunderschön und Resultat unserer Taktik", said Denzel Dumfries after the match. Dumfries also spoke of an important signal "für das Selbstvertrauen" of the team.

Sweden's coach Graham Potter, who had joined the Scandinavians last October, brought on the lightning-quick attacker Anthony Elanga at halftime to provide more spark. In the 59th minute it finally happened: Elanga pulled one back to make it 4:1, writing history in the process – as a goalscorer against a Dutch side that was organized defensively around Virgil van Dijk. "Kein Vergleich zu früheren Zeiten, als meist nur von Zlatan Ibrahimovic Torgefahr ausging", the broadcaster had summarized the situation before the match.

The Netherlands managed their lead in controlled fashion and brought on, among others, record goalscorer Memphis Depay, who had returned to the squad after thigh problems. About the substitution, Gakpo said: "Er hat seine Qualität gezeigt." Additionally, head coach Ronald Koeman brought on Crysencio Summerville, who had come on at the break for Donyell Malen. The former Leipzig player, now active for West Ham United in the English Premier League, scored the 5:1 final score in the 89th minute.

Response to the Japan debate

With the clear win, the Netherlands improved their record to four points in Group F. After the opener, they had drawn 2:2 with Japan, which had caused "für Ernüchterung – und Diskussionen über die Wechsel von Bondscoach Ronald Koeman". Koeman himself appeared relaxed after the Sweden match: "Wir hatten erhöhten Druck, das Spiel zu gewinnen. Wir wussten, dass es ein Pflichtsieg ist. Aber ich habe keine Spannung gefühlt." About the opener, the coach said: "Das erste Tor hatte alles." With a grin, he also referred to his first national team appearance 43 years ago – also against Sweden; back then, Koeman as a player had lost 0:3.

In the Dutch press, the performance caused enthusiasm. The newspaper AD headlined "Was für ein Abend" and wrote about ignited World Cup fever; De Telegraaf celebrated the "entfesselte niederländische Team". Koeman assessed the evening soberly: "In den Niederlanden haben wir immer viel Druck. Mein erstes Länderspiel habe ich nie vergessen." With a view to the standings, he added: "Vielleicht" things had gone better this time – and that "die Dinge in die richtige Richtung gehen."

Statistics and history

Statistically, the Netherlands underlined their dominance. According to data provider Opta, it was the 18th consecutive group-stage match at a World Championship without defeat – a record figure. It was also the 14th consecutive World Cup match without defeat in regular time (up to 120 minutes, excluding penalty shootouts). The 2:0 at halftime laid the foundation for the later runaway win.

For Sweden, the defeat means a setback in the race for first place in the group. With three points from two matches, Potter's side remains in contention but must pick up points in the parallel match against Japan on Thursday evening. With a win, the Japanese could themselves reach the round of the last 16. The Swedes, for their part, would – with a win of their own against Japan and appropriate other results – still have the chance to advance to the knockout stage as group winners.

Sweden's striker duo pale

Sweden's striker duo Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, which had already impressed in the opener, remained largely ineffective against the Dutch defense led by captain Virgil van Dijk. Van Dijk, who plays alongside Isak at FC Liverpool, had described the task precisely beforehand: "Ich werde gegen einen Angreifer spielen, den ich sehr gut kenne, und auf einen anderen Stürmer, der eine sehr gute Saison gespielt hat." Isak had moved in the summer for 145 million euros from Newcastle United to Anfield – an investment that had partly been perceived as clearly overpriced. "Gegen Tunesien zeigte er allerdings, dass er sein Geld wert sein kann", the broadcaster had summed up. Over the entire season, however, "Verschiedene Verletzungen ihn immer wieder aus dem Rhythmus gebracht".

Potter's charges also attested individual class to the two strikers. "Ich denke, sie sind in ihren Stilen unterschiedlich, was meiner Meinung nach gut für uns ist", said the coach. "Denn wenn wir sie dazu bringen können, ihren Fußball zu genießen, sind sie Topspieler. Individuell sind sie großartige Spieler, aber zusammen können sie eine echte Bedrohung darstellen." The task was "ihre Eigenschaften und Qualitäten auf die für uns beste Weise zu nutzen". Before the match, Potter had also emphasized: "Das ist ein riesiges Spiel für uns am Samstag."

Cody Gakpo, who with his brace and his goals shortly after the break contributed decisively to the turning point, assessed the performance as follows: "Wir wissen, dass wir gewinnen müssen, wenn wir die Gruppenphase überstehen wollen. Wir müssen uns darauf konzentrieren, was wir verbessern können." About his Liverpool clubmate Isak, he also said: "Er hat das Turnier mit Schweden richtig gut begonnen … Wir werden sicherlich auf ihn aufpassen müssen." Gakpo also addressed the different types of players in the squad: "Wir haben viele unterschiedlichen Qualitäten im Team. Es ist gut, diese Vielfalt zu haben. Das hilft dem Team."

Outlook on the final group match

The match had been preceded by a broad discussion about Koeman's lineup. "Der Gegner hat hingegen beim 2:2 gegen Japan zum Auftakt nicht überzeugt", the broadcaster had summarized the situation before the match. By bringing in Brobbey for Summerville, the head coach responded to the criticism – and was rewarded with a brace from the striker. On the bench sat, among others, the former Bundesliga professional Wout Weghorst and Justin Kluivert.

From the coaching staff's perspective, it was a performance that set the tone. With four points, advancing to the round of the last 16 for the Elftal is "eine Formsache" – and at the same time the foundation for defending the group lead in the final group match against Tunisia, which, following a 0:4 defeat against Japan, is confirmed as the bottom of the table. Tunisia is already eliminated; Japan could advance to the round of the last 16 with a win against Sweden.

The Netherlands' final group match against Tunisia takes place in the night to Friday at 01:00 (Magenta TV). Sweden's last group match against Japan follows in the night to Friday. For both teams, it is about advancing to the knockout round – albeit under significantly changed circumstances than before the direct duel.

The report was broadcast on June 21, 2026 on Deutschlandfunk and is based on reports from, among others, the Dutch daily newspapers AD and De Telegraaf. With the victory, the Netherlands have set an example not only in