Published June 20, 2026
Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey both scored twice as the Netherlands, riding high in a warning to World Cup favorites, defeated Sweden 5-1.
The Dutchman’s big win on Saturday in front of around 69,000 spectators at Houston Stadium put them on top of their bid to reach the knockout stages, and they bounced back after being pulled away by Japan.
Group F, managed by Ronald Koeman, has four points from two games, with Sweden on three points, Japan on one and Tunisia on zero.
Despite the disappointing defeat, the Swedes had many chances but were thwarted by good goalkeeping and wasteful finishing.
Sunderland striker Blobby made his first start of the competition and returned the favor to Koeman with the opening goals after five and 17 minutes.
Until then, the 24-year-old had only scored once for his country since making his debut three years ago.
In a match featuring the Premier League’s top talent, Liverpool’s Gakpo, who scored Blobby’s opening goal, scored twice early in the second half.
Newcastle United substitute Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden with a classy finish in the closing stages.
West Ham’s Crisencio Somerville has had the last words for the five-star Dutchman.
Two crew members from the historic Artemis II moon exploration mission will be among the VIP guests, representing Houston’s place as the home of spaceflight.
The Netherlands, who twice equalized in a 2-2 draw with Japan and started their bid for the title, had no problems here as they got off to a bright start in front of orange-clad fans and King Willem-Alexander.
Blobby started in place of Somerville and scored the opening goal against Japan, despite the winger scoring.
This took place in the Premier League, with goalkeeper Bert Verbruggen, midfielder Tijani Lijnders and Gakpo all taking part.
Blobby exchanged passes with Gakpo and the Anfield attacker lofted a low cross from the left for his teammate to slot home from close range.
Sweden, who defeated Tunisia 5-1 in the first match, could not cope with Blobby’s muscular presence.
Up front, the vaunted attacks of Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Victor Gokeres took advantage of Sweden’s scrap.
half of gakupo
Twelve minutes after the opening goal, Blobby made it 2-0 when Denzel Dumfries’ cross from the right was deflected and he tip-toed past Christopher Nordfeldt.
Sweden’s English coach, Graham Potter, was in deep discussions with his backroom staff as there was a risk of the game being lost.
During an unpopular water break, Potter made a beeline for Leeds United’s left-sided defender Gabriel Gudamnsson, who was being overtaken by a flying Dumfries and Donyell Mullen.
Sweden then had their best chance, when Gokeres crossed to the free Yasin Ayari, who completely miscontrolled the ball with his chest.
Gökeres was the next to miss a golden chance, but he failed to make proper contact after being played in by the almost unknown Isak.
Gökeres and Ayali were both looking for more goals, but Verbruggen’s overuse kept them from scoring.
The Netherlands held on until the end of the first half.
Koeman brought on Somerville for Malen in the dying minutes of the first half, and two minutes later it was mission impossible for Sweden as Gakpo pounced on Dumfries’ dangerous low cross from close range.
All three goals were surprisingly similar.
Gakpo scored a superb fourth goal in the 54th minute, curling inside a defender and firing a low shot into the bottom corner.
Elanga pulled one back five minutes later, beating the Dutch defense and smashing the ball past Verbruggen.
Somerville scored North America’s second goal, making it a five-point lead in the final minute.
Sweden remains likely to advance to the last 32.
Japan and Tunisia will play in Monterrey, Mexico, later on Saturday.
Next up, Sweden will play against Japan, and the Netherlands will play against Tunisia.
