Brian Brobbey scored twice in the opening 17 minutes as the Netherlands crushed Sweden 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier, with Cody Gakpo also netting a brace. The victory, played in front of a mostly orange crowd, left Sweden coach Graham Potter admitting his team were outclassed.
Brobbey's early double sets the tone
Brobbey, brought in by Ronald Koeman to give the Netherlands a focal point, proved unstoppable with a cocktail of strength, touch and finishing. He opened the scoring in the fifth minute, receiving a chest-high pass, bringing Tijjani Reijnders into play and allowing a switch to Gakpo. Gakpo's angled centre was perfect, and Brobbey converted from close range. He added his second shortly after, touching in after a marvellous cross from Denzel Dumfries. Brobbey had scored only one international goal before this match.
Koeman's selection vindicated
Koeman had criticised his own decisions after a 2-2 draw with Japan, but this time his choices paid off. "If you look at the number of goals we scored it will create fear among other teams, the quality was great," Koeman said. He was more modest about his selection of Brobbey for this assignment. Crysencio Summerville, introduced at half-time, also sparkled and finished unerringly late on to complete the rout.
Sweden's response falls short
Sweden, who had beaten Tunisia 5-1, struggled to contain the Netherlands. Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak tested goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen but found him equal to regular examination. After the first-half hydration break, Graham Potter's switch to a back four loosened the straitjacket, but much of the damage was already done. "The scoreline was a bit harsh on us but the Netherlands played well and deserved to win," Potter said. "You get a smack in the face and then you have to change your plan."
Netherlands' quality on display
The Netherlands scored straight after the restart when Summerville twisted Sweden inside out and allowed Dumfries to cross again. Gakpo could not miss from a couple of yards and then scored another, taking a pass from Summerville and cracking low to Kristoffer Nordfeldt's right from 20 yards. Isak's needless squandering of possession gave the Netherlands the platform for the fourth goal. Substitute Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden before the hour, but Summerville's stroked finish sealed the win.
Looking ahead
"Maybe it was an experience we needed to go through," Potter said. "A big game, a big occasion, a young developing team." Sweden face Japan in a decisive final group game, needing to win to keep their World Cup hopes alive. "Sometimes you have to grow to learn these things," Potter added. The Netherlands, meanwhile, will take confidence from this statement win. "We have very good forwards and we can take advantage of that, the team has improved quite a bit," Koeman said.
