Netherlands produced the standout match of the evening: in the second round of Group F they demolished Sweden 5:1 at NRG Stadium in Houston and moved to the top of the group. It is the biggest victory of the evening window on June 20.
Netherlands – Sweden 5:1 (Group F)
The match started like lightning: as early as the 5th minute Brian Brobbey opened the scoring by converting a cut-back from Gakpo. In the 17th minute the same Brobbey completed a brace — this time from a cross from the right flank. Sweden tried to respond: Gyökeres and Ayari tested goalkeeper Verbruggen several times, and Lagerblke even put the ball in the net, but the referee ruled offside.
Early in the second half, Oranje finally broke their opponents. Cody Gakpo scored twice — in the 47th and 54th minutes — first after an assist from Dumfries, then following a combination with Summerville. The 4:0 scoreline turned the match into an exhibition. Elanga pulled one back in the 59th minute to make it 4:1, but Summerville had the final say in the 89th minute — 5:1.
Match heroes: Brobbey (2 goals), Gakpo (2 goals, 1 assist), Dumfries (2 assists), Summerville (1 goal, 1 assist). Gakpo drew level with Robin van Persie for the number of goals scored in World Cup group stages for the Netherlands national team — 5 goals.
Tournament implications: Netherlands have 4 points and lead Group F. Sweden remain in second place with 3 points, but their goal difference has been wiped out — after thrashing Tunisia 5:1 in the first round, the Swedes now have a zero goal difference. In the final round, the Dutch will face Tunisia while Sweden take on Japan. Both matches will decide who advances from the group.
Currently in progress
At 23:00 Kyiv time, the Group E match kicked off: Germany – Côte d'Ivoire. Results in the morning digest.
Photo: Sky Sports · Editorial (source)
