4 Takeaways From The Netherlands' Dominant Win vs. Sweden At The World Cup

Total Football is here. 

The first World Cup match of a busy Saturday was a European clash between the Netherlands and Sweden, where theOranje came out victorious with a commanding, overwhelming 5-1 victory at Houston stadium. The result takes them to the top of Group F, albeit temporarily until Japan faces Tunisia.

Ronald Koeman’s side gave an almost-complete performance, winning with confidence and fluidity, and much like the glory days of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff's Total Football, it was full of attacking vigor, tenacious play and lots of goals. When this team plays in such a manner, it really elevates its chances of doing something special at this World Cup. That’s not to say Sweden didn’t have its chances, as when the Netherlands lose the ball, they sometimes leave themselves vulnerable. But in the end, the Dutch side deserved its impressive win.

Prior to the tournament, in several shows and interviews, I discussed the Netherlands and their legitimate shot of winning it all and, as far back as November, I placed them sixth in my top 10 power rankings for the tournament. Koeman’s great work with this team has been evident for a while now and without anyone realizing, this is a team that is slowly showing that maybe it can do something it has never done: win the World Cup. 

There’s still a long way to go, but today the Netherlands showed why they are the real deal. 

Here are my takeaways:

(Photo by Hugo Rivera/Jam Media/Getty Images)

Back in the 1970s, the Total Football philosophy created an identity for the Netherlands that essentially became a gift to the world. The concept of fluid positioning, stretching the opponent by making the pitch as wide as possible, collective pressing as well as switching