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Netherlands Crush Sweden 5-1, Brobbey, Gakpo Lead

6/21/2026

39 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Netherlands Dominate

The Netherlands defeated Sweden 5-1 in Houston on June 20, 2026.
Brian Brobbey (minutes 5, 17) and Cody Gakpo (minutes 47, 54) each earned a brace, two World Cup goals and entered the early Golden Boot race.
The win moved the Netherlands to four points with a +4 goal-difference, topping Group F, while Sweden remained on three points.
Coach Ronald Koeman said the result gives peace of mind, warns rivals and justifies starting Brobbey.

Summary

Sweden Thrash Tunisia

Eleven Premier League players started for both sides, setting a match record.
Brian Brobbey, a Sunderland forward, scored two goals for the Netherlands.
Alexander Isak, a Liverpool striker, partnered Arsenal forward Viktor Gyökeres as Sweden beat Tunisia 5-1.
Jan Paul van Hecke, a Netherlands midfielder, joined Tottenham for £52 million on Thursday.
Anthony Elanga, a Newcastle United player, entered as a substitute and scored Sweden's only goal.

History

Historical Context

On 20 June 1998, Guus Hiddink’s Netherlands thrashed South Korea 5-0 in Marseille, their biggest World Cup win to date. The victory continued a pattern of dominant group-stage performances, echoed in the 5-1 rout of Spain at the 2014 tournament under Louis van Gaal. These high-scoring displays highlight Dutch strength in early World Cup rounds.

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Netherlands Dominate

The Netherlands defeated Sweden 5-1 in Houston on June 20, 2026.
Brian Brobbey (minutes 5, 17) and Cody Gakpo (minutes 47, 54) each earned a brace, two World Cup goals and entered the early Golden Boot race.
The win moved the Netherlands to four points with a +4 goal-difference, topping Group F, while Sweden remained on three points.
Coach Ronald Koeman said the result gives peace of mind, warns rivals and justifies starting Brobbey.

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