The Netherlands officially won their first win of the tournament in the second match of the FIFA World Cup by defeating the powerful Sweden by five goals to one in the Group F fight. In the match held at the Houston Stadium, the Swedish defense was completely destroyed when the Dutch team played from start to finish. A strong comeback by Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side after a 2-2 draw in their opening match against Japan is a stark warning to the tournament’s other giants. The Netherlands, who have been equally good in attack and defense, are shouting that they are in front of the title battle.
With five goals in the match, the Netherlands also became the eighth team in FIFA World Cup history to score 100 goals in the tournament. The other seven teams to achieve this feat are Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France, Italy, Spain and England. On the other hand, Sweden, who beat Tunisia 5-1 in their first match, lost to Dutch Pata by the same scoreline in a major setback. Despite being ahead in passes and shots, Sweden was humbled by wasting opportunities.
∙ First ‘double’
In the first half, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman brought out a ‘high-pressing’ strategy. The Netherlands’ 4-3-3 formation suffocated Sweden’s three-back defense (3-1-4-2). Brian Brobie broke through Sweden’s defense with two goals in the first 20 minutes. The first goal was in the sixth minute. Cody Gakpo advanced with the ball on the left wing and fooled Sweden’s defence. The Swedish defenders were unable to accurately receive Gakpo’s low pass into the center of the box. Taking advantage of this mistake, Brian Brobie, unmarked inside the box, struck the ball beautifully into the Swedish net from close range. Score 1–0.
The second goal was a good example of the Dutch team’s tactical wing attacking. In the 17th minute, defender Denzel Dumfries made a swift run down the right wing after receiving a ball from midfield to deliver a measured cross into the Swedish box. Brian Brobie fired a powerful right-footed shot into the left corner of the Swedish post. Double for Brian. Netherlands 2–0.
After conceding two consecutive goals, Sweden coach Graham Potter changed his strategy after the first hydration break of the game. Abandoned the 3-5-2 style and switched to a back four (4-4-2) defence. With this, Sweden came back into the game and created great opportunities in the last minutes of the first half. Gustaf Lagerbielsche scored a header from Benjamin Nygren’s free-kick, but the referee ruled it out for offside.
The celebration of Netherlands player Brian Broby after scoring a goal against Sweden in the FIFA World Cup. (Photo by Paul Ellis/AFP)
∙ Second ‘double’
Donial Malone was replaced by Crescencio Summerville at the start of the second half. This change threw the Swedish defense into disarray. Cody Gakpo scored Dutch Pata’s third goal in the 47th minute after receiving a low cross from Summerville. Substitute Summerville, with his incredible speed, advanced down the left wing past the Swedish right-back and delivered a low cut-back pass into the box. Cody Gakpo, who came running in, put the ball into the net with a very accurate finish in one touch. Dutch army increases the lead (3–0).
In the 54th minute, the Dutch team launched a deadly counter-attack from a mistake by Swedish striker Alexander Isak. Gakpo cut in from the left wing off Summerville’s assist and found his second goal. The Netherlands advance with a ‘double’ double. Antony Ilanga scored a consolation goal for Sweden in the 59th minute. Substitute Anthony Ilanga burst forward after receiving a ferocious through-pass from Swedish super Taram Alexander-Isaak that completely fooled the Dutch defence. Ilanga broke the Dutch offside trap and headed the ball into the net before goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen could stop it. The referee suspected offside but allowed the goal after a war check.
But the Netherlands did not stop there. This was one of the most beautiful goals of the match. Crescencio Summerville, who shined throughout the game with two assists, completed his magical performance of the match with the goal. In the 89th minute, Summerville received a short pass from Memphis Depay just outside the box and a beautiful long-range curving shot from outside the box before the Swedish defenders could defend. The ball went past the Swedish defenders and the keeper and into the net. It was Sweden’s heaviest defeat since their 7-1 loss to Brazil in 1950.
