The Netherlands produced a ruthless attacking display to hammer Sweden 5-1 on Saturday with Brobbery and Cody Gakpo scoring a brace each.
The result move the dutch to the brink of qualification for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo both scored braces as Ronald Koeman’s side delivered one of the tournament’s most convincing performances, overwhelming Sweden in Houston to take control of Group F.
Brobbey, handed a surprise start by Koeman, justified his selection almost immediately.
The powerful forward opened the scoring after just five minutes, finishing off a swift Dutch counterattack following an excellent assist from Gakpo.
The Sunderland striker doubled the advantage in the 17th minute, turning home a low cross from Denzel Dumfries to put the Netherlands firmly in command.
Sweden thought they had reduced the deficit before halftime when Gustaf Lagerbielke found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside, allowing the Dutch to head into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Any hopes of a Swedish comeback were extinguished shortly after the restart. Gakpo struck in the 47th minute, arriving at the back post to convert another dangerous delivery from Dumfries.
The Liverpool forward added his second goal seven minutes later after excellent work from substitute Crysencio Summerville, whose pass allowed Gakpo to drill a low effort beyond goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
The fourth Dutch goal also carried historical significance, taking the total number of goals scored at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to 100 in just 33 matches—the fastest century of goals at the tournament since 1958.
Sweden eventually pulled one back through Anthony Elanga in the 59th minute.
The Manchester United winger raced onto a through ball and lifted his finish over Bart Verbruggen to give the Scandinavians a brief moment of encouragement.
However, the Netherlands had the final say as Summerville capped an impressive cameo performance by curling home a fifth goal in the 89th minute.
The emphatic victory lifts the Netherlands to the top of Group F with four points and leaves them needing only a positive result against Tunisia in their final group match to secure progression to the knockout rounds.
For Sweden, defeat leaves their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
Graham Potter’s men will now face a must-win encounter against Japan in their final group game as they attempt to keep their World Cup campaign alive.
Brobbey was named Player of the Match after scoring twice and leading the Dutch attack with authority, while Gakpo and Dumfries also played pivotal roles in a performance that underlined the Netherlands’ credentials as serious contenders in the tournament.
