KUCHING: Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scored twice as the Netherlands brushed aside Sweden 5-1 on Sunday (MYT) to claim their first win of the World Cup and breathe new life into their Group C campaign.
After being tested by Japan in their opening match, Ronald Koeman’s side needed a response and delivered one in emphatic fashion, overwhelming Sweden with a relentless attacking display that left their opponents staring at a possible early exit.
Brobbey needed just five minutes to justify his inclusion, meeting Gakpo’s low cross to give the Dutch an early breakthrough.
The striker doubled the advantage 12 minutes later, stretching to turn home Denzel Dumfries’ inviting delivery and put the Netherlands firmly in control.
Sweden thought they had found a route back into the contest before half-time when Gustaf Lagerbielke headed into the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Any hopes of a Swedish revival disappeared within two minutes of the restart.
Substitute Crysencio Summerville made an immediate impact, combining with Dumfries before Gakpo swept home from close range to make it 3-0.
The Liverpool forward grabbed his second seven minutes later after Alexander Isak gifted possession away deep inside the Dutch half. Summerville led the counter-attack before feeding Gakpo, who drilled a low finish beyond the goalkeeper.
Sweden finally found a response through Anthony Elanga in the 59th minute. The substitute raced onto Isak’s perfectly weighted pass before producing a composed finish past Bart Verbruggen.
But the Dutch remained firmly in command.
Summerville capped an influential cameo by adding a fifth goal in the closing stages as the Netherlands completed their biggest win of the tournament so far.
The victory lifts Koeman’s men firmly back into contention for a place in the Round of 32, while Sweden’s hopes of progressing were dealt a major blow after a second successive defeat.
For a Dutch side searching for momentum after a difficult opening match, this was the perfect response. For Sweden, the road ahead has become considerably steeper.
