Brobbey, Gakpo double delight as slick Netherlands dismantle Sweden 5-1

HOUSTON: An early double from Brian Brobbey, two more in the second half for Cody Gakpo and a late goal from Crysencio Summerville helped the Netherlands cruise to an impressive 5-1 win over Sweden at the World Cup on Saturday (Jun 20).

The Dutch delivered the performance coach Ronald Koeman had demanded after conceding near the end of regulation in a disappointing opening 2-2 draw against Japan and underlined the team's credentials as among the favourites to go far in the tournament.

Koeman said he knew this was an important game, but the players' performance showed they did not feel the pressure after the opening draw.

"So there was more pressure to win this match. We knew it was a must-win," Koeman said. "But I didn't feel any tension. As a coach, you can feel how people are working after a first match like that and what the players' input is. Then you know things are on the right track."

Brobbey - chosen ahead of record scorer Memphis Depay - repaid Koeman’s faith with two goals in the opening 17 minutes to give the Dutch the early initiative, and another two from Cody Gakpo in seven minutes after the break put the match out of reach.

His first came when he flicked the ball to Tijjani Reijnders, who found Gakpo racing down the left flank to set up the Sunderland striker for a tap-in.

Brobbey struck again when Denzel Dumfries swung in a perfectly weighted cross that he directed past Sweden goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt with an outstretched leg.

After being criticised for how he used his bench against Japan, Koeman got it right against Sweden, also with his injection of Summerville, who scored one and had a hand in two others after entering the match in the second half.

The Swedes - full of optimism after crushing Tunisia