The Netherlands produced a ruthless display to crush Sweden 5-1 at Houston Stadium on Saturday, with Cody Gakpo scoring twice, including the 100th goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ronald Koeman’s side stormed to the top of Group F after a dominant performance, while Sweden suffered a heavy setback after their impressive opening victory over Tunisia.
The match carried extra significance before kick-off. Four goals were needed to bring the tournament tally to 100, and the landmark was reached in style. It marked the fastest century of goals at a World Cup since 1958, with the milestone arriving in the tournament’s 33rd match.
The Dutch made the perfect start after just five minutes. Brian Brobbey rewarded Koeman’s faith with the opening goal after a superb team move. Tijjani Reijnders released Cody Gakpo down the left, and the Liverpool forward delivered a precise low cross for Brobbey to hammer home from close range for his second international goal.
Sweden responded immediately and nearly found an equaliser two minutes later. Viktor Gyokeres tested Bart Verbruggen with a low strike, but the Dutch goalkeeper reacted sharply to keep his side ahead.
The Netherlands doubled their lead in the 17th minute. Denzel Dumfries whipped in a dangerous cross from the right and Brobbey stretched to guide the ball into the bottom corner. His second goal arrived just 16 minutes and 12 seconds into the match, making it the earliest World Cup brace by a Dutch player and the quickest in the tournament since Lukas Podolski scored twice for Germany against Sweden in 2006.
Despite falling behind, Sweden continued to create chances. Yasin Ayari wasted a golden opportunity in the 29th minute when he failed to control Viktor Gyokeres’ excellent cross with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Gyokeres remained Sweden’s biggest threat and forced another save from Verbruggen in the 37th minute with a curling effort from the edge of the area. Four minutes later, Ayari fired over after another promising attacking move.
Sweden thought they had reduced the deficit just before half-time when Gustaf Lagerbielke headed home from a Nygren cross. However, the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. Moments later, Gyokeres and Ayari both tested Verbruggen again, but the Dutch goalkeeper stood firm to preserve a two-goal lead at the break.
The Netherlands struck again within two minutes of the restart. Substitute Crysencio Summerville made an instant impact, creating space on the right before feeding Dumfries. The full-back drilled a low cross across goal and Gakpo arrived at the back post to tap into an empty net for 3-0.
Seven minutes later, the Dutch effectively ended the contest. Alexander Isak surrendered possession deep inside his own half and the Netherlands countered at pace. Summerville carried the ball forward before slipping Gakpo through. The forward advanced into the area and drilled a low shot inside the near post to make it 4-0.
Gakpo’s second goal carried added significance as it became the 100th goal of the 2026 World Cup, achieved in just 33 matches, the quickest rate since the 1958 tournament.
Sweden continued to search for a response. Ayari came close again in the 57th minute with a powerful effort that flashed narrowly over the crossbar.
Their reward finally arrived two minutes later. Anthony Elanga, on the pitch for only a few minutes, raced onto a brilliant through ball from Isak before coolly finishing past Verbruggen to reduce the deficit to 4-1.
Koeman then denied Brobbey the chance of a hat-trick by replacing him in the 72nd minute with all-time Dutch top scorer Memphis Depay.
Sweden kept pushing and Isak nearly scored a spectacular goal in the 85th minute. His curling effort from 20 yards appeared destined for the top corner, but Verbruggen produced another outstanding save to tip the ball away.
The Dutch completed the scoring in the 89th minute. Summerville capped a brilliant substitute appearance by driving towards the penalty area, shifting the ball onto his stronger foot and firing a low strike inside the post. The goal sealed a comprehensive 5-1 victory and underlined the Netherlands’ attacking quality.
Verbruggen’s excellent performance also proved crucial. The goalkeeper denied Gyokeres on multiple occasions and frustrated Sweden throughout the match as the Dutch converted their chances with ruthless efficiency.
The result leaves the Netherlands firmly in control of Group F ahead of their clash with Tunisia. Sweden, meanwhile, must now beat Japan in their final group match to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive.
The match was only the second World Cup meeting between the two nations. Their previous encounter came in the 1974 group stage and ended goalless, a game remembered for Johan Cruyff’s famous “Cruyff turn.” This time, however, there was no shortage of goals as the Netherlands delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the tournament so far.
