Netherlands thump Sweden 5-1 as Cody Gakpo, Brian Brobbey bag World Cup doubles

Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scored two each as Netherlands cruised to a 5-1 World Cup victory over Sweden to go top of Group F. Oranje boss Ronald Koeman sprang something of a surprise by selecting Brobbey ahead of Crysencio Summerville, a goal scorer in their opening 2-2 draw with Japan, but the decision was quickly vindicated as the Sunderland striker scored twice in the opening 17 minutes. After Sweden had a goal ruled out at the end of the first half, Gakpo hit two in the first 10 minutes of the second half, and although Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Graham Potter's Sweden just before the hour, substitute Summerville had the final say in the 90th minute.

Only five minutes in, Brobbey laid the ball off to Tijjani Reijnders, who swept it left for Gakpo to send in a low cross for Brobbey to poke in, and the second goal was almost a mirror image as Denzel Dumfries crossed low from the right and Brobbey again prodded home. Sweden, who came to life after the first hydration break, thought they had a goal back late in the half, but Gustaf Lagerbielke was one of several Sweden players offside as he headed in Benjamin Nygren's free kick. Instead, Gakpo was able to kill off Sweden early in the second half.

When Summerville, on for Donyell Malen at the break, sent in a low cross that Brobbey could not quite stretch far enough to get his hat trick, but Gakpo was left with an easy finish at the back post. Eight minutes later, Netherlands punished a mistake from Alexander Isak with a rapid counter as Summerville laid the ball off for Gakpo to cut in from the left and fire home. Just before the hour Elanga gave Sweden something to cheer as he ran on to a through ball from Isak and clipped it beyond Bart Verbruggen, but Summerville sparked fresh Dutch celebrations in the 90th minute as he swept home from the edge of the box.