Netherlands thrashes Sweden to lead Group F at FIFA World Cup

Cody Gakpo (front R) of the Netherlands shoots to score during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

HOUSTON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The Netherlands cruised to a 5-1 victory over Sweden, moving to the top of Group F with an impressive attacking performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup here on Saturday.

The Netherlands took control in the opening stages of the first half, with Brian Brobbey finding the net from close range in the 5th and 17th minutes to put his side firmly in command.

The Oranje then dropped deeper, allowing Sweden to gain the upper hand. Viktor Gyokeres and Yasin Ayari both had promising chances, but neither was able to find the net.

The Netherlands again took the initiative after the restart, with Cody Gakpo scoring twice within the opening 10 minutes of the second half to extend the lead to 4-0.

Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden in the 59th minute, but Crysencio Summerville restored the Netherlands' four-goal cushion before the final whistle, sealing a 5-1 victory for the Dutch.

The win lifted the Netherlands to the top of Group F with four points from two matches.

Team Sweden greet spectators after the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Anthony Elanga of Sweden competes during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Team the Netherlands greet spectators after the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Besfort Zeneli (L) of Sweden reacts after the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Bart Verbruggen (front), goalkeeper of the Netherlands, makes a save during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands leaves the pitch after the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Kristoffer Nordfeldt (front), goalkeeper of Sweden fails to save a goal during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Noa Lang of the Netherlands vies with Isak Hien (front) of Sweden during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Noa Lang (front) of the Netherlands vies with Isak Hien of Sweden during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Gustaf Lagerbielke (R) of Sweden reacts after the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Gabriel Gudmundsson of Sweden reacts during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Cody Gakpo (C) of the Netherlands celebrates a goal with teammate Tijjani Reijnders during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Isak Hien (front R) of Sweden competes during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Anthony Elanga (L) of Sweden shoots to score during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Crysencio Summerville (R) of the Netherlands shoots to score during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Crysencio Summerville (L) of the Netherlands celebrates a goal with teammate Memphis Depay during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Micky van de Ven (front) of the Netherlands shoots during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Memphis Depay (L) of the Netherlands vies with Gustaf Lagerbielke of Sweden during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Guus Til (L) of the Netherlands vies with Isak Hien of Sweden during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Brian Brobbey (R) of the Netherlands vies with Victor Nilsson Lindelof of Sweden during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Anthony Elanga of Sweden celebrates a goal during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Cody Gakpo (R) of the Netherlands vies with Gustaf Lagerbielke of Sweden during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Cody Gakpo (top) of the Netherlands vies with Gustaf Lagerbielke of Sweden during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Gustaf Lagerbielke (top R) of Sweden heads the ball to shoot during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Anthony Elanga (L) of Sweden competes during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Cody Gakpo (3rd R) of the Netherlands celebrates a goal during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Gustaf Lagerbielke (front) of Sweden heads the ball during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

Virgil van Dijk (R) of the Netherlands vies with Jesper Karlstrom of Sweden during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Cody Gakpo (back R) of the Netherlands celebrates a goal with teammates during the group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)