The Netherlands take on Sweden in their second outing at the World Cup 2026, knowing that three points are crucial to their chances of reaching the knockout rounds.
The Dutch were pegged back in their 2-2 opening encounter with Japan, meaning Ronald Koeman’s side had to settle for a point and came into this match sitting third in Group F. Meanwhile, the Swedes topped the table after they swept Tunisia aside 5-1, in a scintillating start to the tournament for Graham Potter’s team.
Speaking of scintillating starts, though, Netherlands secured their own against Sweden, with Brian Brobbey striking twice in the opening 17 minutes amid a dominant display. Cody Gakpo then added his own brace in the second half to make it 4-0, with Sweden looking finished already.
Sweden may still be well-poised to advance to the knockout rounds if they lose, but they will be desperate for at least a draw to make sure.
Follow all the action from Group F with our live blog below:
Graham Potter speaks on heavy defeat
Sweden boss Graham Potter: “You can’t concede that many and hope to win.
“We’ll learn a lot from the game. We were playing against a good team, they hurt us in the wide areas.
“I thought we got off to not-a-great start and then came back into it, I thought we were the better team [late in the first half].
“The game got away from us, but the boys kept going.
“Sometimes you have to have these experiences. I didn’t think it was that kind of game, but that’s the scoreline, and we have to learn from it.”
Full-time! Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
95’ – Sweden win one last corner but it is wasted. And that’s full-time. A resounding win for the Oranje, who looked so fluid in wide areas and with a centre-forward in Brobbey to cause havoc.
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
95’ – Summerville has taken an accidental blow to the head and has a bit of blood pouring from his face. He is off for some attention and is unlikely to return.
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
93’ – Stroud is on for Gudmundsson. At least he can say he played at a World Cup.
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
90’ – Lang replaced Gakpo, who is icing his right forearm, after Summerville’s goal.
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
90’ – This is another beauty and Summerville deserves that after such a good cameo off the bench. He fires into the same left corner as Gakpo’s second, leaving Nordfelt with no chance.
There will be five minutes added on.
GOAL! Netherlands 5-1 Sweden (Summerville, 89)
Jinxed that stat, didn’t we?
Netherlands 4-1 Sweden
87’ – It’s all slowing down. And the third all-European tie is set to end with a third team winning by scoring four goals.
Netherlands 4-1 Sweden
84’ – Isak has a go from far out, Verbruggen punches it away in the hope that a photographer will capture a nice shot.
