The Netherlands delivered a dominant performance against Sweden in the World Cup on Saturday, moving to the top of Group F with a 5-1 win. Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scored two goals apiece to power the Netherlands to victory.

Strong Start

Brobbey’s goals came in the first half, helping the Netherlands get off to a great start and roll to the big win after playing Japan to a 2-2 draw. The victory gives the Netherlands a group-leading four points.

Gakpo, who also had an assist, extended the lead to 3-0 just after halftime, scoring in the 47th minute off a cross from Denzel Dumfries. He matched Brobbey when he scored on a right-footed shot from the left box in the 54th minute.

Sweden’s Struggles

Sweden couldn’t build on its strong performance in a 5-1 walloping of Tunisia in its first match. The loss to the Dutch was its biggest World Cup defeat since losing 7-1 to Brazil in 1950.

Sweden coach Graham Potter said the defeat was less about what his team did and more about just how good the Netherlands played. The Dutch gameplan to play out wide to open up Sweden and cross to Brobbey worked perfectly early.

Anthony Elanga’s left-footed goal cut the lead to 4-1 in the 59th minute and allowed Sweden to avoid the shutout. Crysencio Summerville tacked on a goal for the Netherlands in the 89th minute.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.