The Netherlands have stormed to the summit of Group F after braces from Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo secured a thrilling victory over Sweden in Houston.

The Swedes contributed throughout to this enthralling encounter, but were playing catch-up from the moment Brobbey slammed home an inviting Gakpo cross inside five minutes.

The Sunderland striker had only scored once for his country before this FIFA World Cup but found the net again just 12 minutes later when he slid in to divert home a low Denzel Dumfries’ centre.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 20: Brian Brobbey #19 of the Netherlands scores his team's first goal past Kristoffer Nordfeldt #23 of Sweden during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Sweden at Houston Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Sweden piled on the pressure thereafter and thought they had a goal back only for the offside flag to curtail the celebrations that followed Gustaf Lagerbielke’s brave header.

The interval came at the worst possible time for Graham Potter’s side and within eight minutes of the restart the game was well and truly beyond them. Gakpo added to his earlier assist with a quickfire double, converting from close range before cutting inside to crash home a trademark drive from the edge of the area.

Substitute Anthony Elanga offered Sweden some hope with a superb breakaway effort, but the impressive Crysencio Summerville restored the Oranje's four-goal cushion with an emphatic right-foot strike as the clock ticked down. Potter's side now fall to second – a point behind the Dutch - ahead of the later Group F fixture between Japan and Tunisia.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Tags:

Gakpo and Brobbey score two goals each as Netherlands beat Sweden heavily

Suggested for you

More Stories

Report claims UK Prime Minister Starmer may retire, but insider says he is working

Bright Simons discusses 320kg meth seizure linked to Ghana

Somali Referee Omar Artan to Officiate Kuwait League Final After World Cup Visa Issue

Israeli Attack Kills Six in Gaza, Including Al Jazeera Cameraman

World Cup 2026: Deniz Undav Scores Two as Germany Beats Ivory Coast 2-1

King Charles will show his personal tax bill for the first time

Discussion