Netherlands moved to the brink of the World Cup knockout rounds after Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey scored twice each in a 5-1 win over Sweden in Houston.
The victory put Ronald Koeman’s side top of Group F with four points from two games. Sweden stayed on three points, ahead of Japan on one and Tunisia on none.
Brobbey made his first start of the tournament and scored after five and 17 minutes. The 24-year-old had scored only once for Netherlands before the match.
Gakpo set up Brobbey’s opener before scoring twice early in the second half. His second goal came in the 54th minute after he turned inside his marker and fired low into the corner.
Substitute Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden before the hour. Crysencio Summerville then scored late to complete the five-goal Dutch win.
Sweden created chances through Viktor Gyokeres and Yasin Ayari before halftime. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and poor finishing kept them out.
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Sweden coach Graham Potter told BBC TV that his team attacked and created chances but could not concede so many goals and expect to win. He said Sweden must learn from the defeat.
Koeman said the way Netherlands scored could “cause fear among opponents.” Sweden can still progress to the last 32 but face Japan in their final group game.
