Gakpo and Brobbey doubles send Netherlands past Sweden 5-1

The Netherlands beat Sweden 5-1 on Saturday in Houston, a result that put Ronald Koeman’s team on the verge of the World Cup knockout stage, AFP reported. Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey each scored twice as the Dutch moved to four points from two matches in Group F.

AFP reported that the win lifted the Netherlands above Sweden, who remain on three points after opening the tournament with a 5-1 win over Tunisia. Japan had one point and Tunisia none before their match later Saturday in Monterrey, Mexico.

Brobbey, given his first start of the tournament by Koeman, scored in the fifth and 17th minutes. AFP reported that the Sunderland striker had managed only one international goal since his debut three years ago before this match.

The opener came after a Dutch move involving Bart Verbruggen, Tijjani Reijnders and Gakpo. Brobbey exchanged passes with Gakpo before the Liverpool forward delivered a low ball from the left, allowing Brobbey to finish from close range, according to AFP.

Sweden struggled early with Brobbey’s strength and the Netherlands’ pressure down the flanks. Denzel Dumfries was central to the second goal, with his deflected cross from the right dropping for Brobbey to toe the ball past Kristoffer Nordfeldt.

AFP reported that Sweden’s coach Graham Potter spoke at length with his staff as the first half threatened to get away from his side. At a hydration break, Potter focused attention on left-sided defender Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was having trouble with Dumfries and Donyell Malen.

Sweden still created chances before halftime. Viktor Gyokeres crossed for Yasin Ayari, who failed to control the ball cleanly, and Gyokeres later missed a promising opportunity after a pass from Alexander Isak, AFP reported.

Verbruggen then kept Sweden out as the pressure grew. AFP reported that Gyokeres and Ayari both had further looks at goal, while the Dutch goalkeeper also saved from Besfort Zeneli.

Koeman introduced Crysencio Summerville for Malen at halftime, but Gakpo struck two minutes after the restart. AFP reported that Dumfries again provided a dangerous low cross, and Gakpo turned it in from close range for 3-0.

Gakpo added his second in the 54th minute, cutting inside a defender and driving a low shot into the corner. Anthony Elanga, introduced from the bench for Sweden, pulled one back five minutes later after running clear of the Dutch defence and beating Verbruggen.

Summerville completed the scoring late, giving the Netherlands a fifth goal and his second of the tournament in North America, AFP reported. The result followed the Dutch team’s 2-2 draw with Japan in their opening match.

The match was played before nearly 69,000 spectators at Houston Stadium, according to AFP. King Willem-Alexander attended, and two crew members from the Artemis II lunar mission were among the VIP guests.

Sweden remain in contention for the last 32 despite the loss, AFP reported. Sweden play Japan next, while the Netherlands face Tunisia.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.