Netherlands as we know them — a five-act demolition of Sweden

The Netherlands national team, as always, are once again placed among the favourites to potentially win the World Cup. If anyone had forgotten that after the match against Japan, Ronald Koeman’s side reminded them of it. Five goals against Sweden will certainly boost their confidence and push the Netherlands toward the knockout stage of the tournament.

Netherlands made the perfect start, opening the scoring in just the fifth minute. A superb team move began with Reijnders, who found Cody Gakpo on the left flank. Gakpo then picked out the run of Brian Brobbey inside the box, and the Sunderland striker made no mistake from close range, smashing the ball into the net to give the Dutch an early advantage.

Sweden almost responded immediately. Straight from the restart, Gyokeres received the ball on the right and unleashed a powerful effort from a tight angle, but Bart Verbruggen reacted brilliantly and kept the shot out with his leg.

The Dutch doubled their lead in the 17th minute with another well-worked attacking move. Malen delivered an excellent pass to Dumfries, who spotted Brobbey making a run similar to the one that led to the opening goal. The striker once again found space inside the area and calmly finished to make it 2-0.

Despite the scoreline, Sweden continued to create opportunities. Gyokeres came close in the 37th minute when he fired a first-time effort from the left side of the box, but Verbruggen was equal to the task and produced another impressive save.

The action quickly switched to the other end, where Gakpo tried his luck from around 25 meters out, although his shot was comfortably gathered by the Swedish goalkeeper. Sweden then threatened again through Ayari, whose effort from the edge of the penalty area flew narrowly over the crossbar.

The Swedes thought they had pulled one back right before halftime when Lagerbielke headed home from Nygren's cross, but their celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out for offside

Deep into stoppage time, Verbruggen continued to frustrate Sweden. First, he produced an excellent save from a Gyokeres free-kick, before denying Ayari once more with a superb stop from a long-range strike in the final moments of the half.

The Netherlands have been clinical in front of goal and take a deserved two-goal lead into the interval, but Sweden will feel encouraged by the number of chances they have created, only to be repeatedly denied by an inspired goalkeeper.

The Netherlands continued their dominance in the second half, finishing off Sweden with a commanding 5-1 victory in a one-sided contest.

Barely had the second half begun when Ronald Koeman’s side struck again in the 47th minute to make it 3-0. Once more, it was a flowing team move that cut Sweden apart in almost identical fashion to the earlier goals. Summerville drove forward brilliantly before finding Denzel Dumfries, who squared the ball across the face of goal. Gakpo was perfectly positioned to tap into an empty net and extend the Dutch lead.

Just seven minutes later, Gakpo was on the scoresheet again. The Liverpool winger picked up the ball on the left, drove inside with purpose, and unleashed a precise strike into the near corner, leaving the Swedish goalkeeper helpless and making it 4-0 as he completed a quick-fire brace.

Sweden did show some resistance, with Ayari testing Verbruggen from distance in the 57th minute, forcing the Dutch keeper into action once again as the shot flew just over the bar.

A minute later, Sweden finally found a breakthrough. A rapid counter-attack led by Alexander Isak saw the ball released to Anthony Elanga, who sprinted through and calmly lifted it over Verbruggen to reduce the deficit to 4-1.

Despite the goal, the Netherlands remained in control. Verbruggen was called into action again in the 84th minute, producing another excellent save to deny Isak, whose powerful effort looked destined for the top corner from around 20 meters.

In the closing moments, the Dutch added further gloss to the scoreline. In the 89th minute, Summerville capped off the performance by scoring from distance, beating the Swedish goalkeeper from around 20 meters to seal a comprehensive 5-1 win.

A dominant display from the Netherlands, who were ruthless in attack and clinical throughout, while Sweden were left to rue missed chances and a defense overwhelmed by relentless pressure.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)

Group F

Saturday 20.06.

Netherlands - Sweden 5-1 (2-0)

/Brobbey 5, 17, Gakpo 47, 54, Summerville 89 - Elanga 59/

Sunday 21.06.

07.00: (6.50) Tunisia (3.60) Japan (1.60)

***odds are subject to change***