5-star Netherlands brush Sweden aside to top Group F

Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo each scored a brace as the Netherlands claimed a commanding lead in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F match with a commanding 5-1 win over Sweden on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston.

Ronald Koeman, who came under scrutiny after his side twice lost the lead in their opening draw against Japan, saw the Dutch team open the game in superb form, with Brobbey netting the opener inside the first five minutes.

The striker justified his call to lead the offensive line by converting a precise cross from Gakpo. He then doubled the Dutch advantage in the 17th minute by tapping home a low delivery from Denzel Dumfries.

The Oranje did have to weather a wave of Swedish attacks in the final moments of the first half, with both Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak coming close to halving the deficit.

Yasin Ayari also threatened with a couple of long-range strikes at the goal.

The tie took a dramatic turn immediately after the interval, with Gakpo scoring to extend the lead to 3-0 in the 47th minute after being set up by Dumfries once again. The Liverpool winger struck again in the 54th minute, this time cutting inside to fire a low shot home following a pass from substitute Crysencio Summerville.

Elanga scores

Sweden managed to pull a goal back in the 59th minute when Anthony Elanga raced onto a long ball, beating Virgil van Dijk and Micky van de Ven to the bounce before slotting it past Bart Verbruggen after a well-timed assist from Isak.

Any hopes of a Swedish comeback were short-lived, however, as Crysencio Summerville joined the substitute act on the scoresheet with just one minute left of normal time.

The West Ham ace made it a goal and an assist for his cameo appearance, hitting a brilliant low drive after driving forward from the center of the pitch to seal a 5-1 rout.

The Dutch have now taken the lead in Group F on four points and next face Tunisia on June 25, 2026, while the Swedes face off in a crucial final group encounter against Japan.