Netherlands beat Sweden 5-1 in the group stage, Group F of FIFA World Cup 2026.

The match took place on 20 June 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, as part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, Group F. The Dutch side entered the game as the home team, while Sweden travelled to Texas looking to stay competitive in the early points race.

How it unfolded

The opening minutes saw the Netherlands take the initiative. In the 5th minute Brian Brobbey opened the scoring with a right-footed finish from very close range after receiving a cross from Cody Gakpo. The early lead set the tone for the Dutch attack.

Just twelve minutes later, Brobbey doubled the lead in the 17th minute. A cross from Denzel Dumfries found him in the box, and he placed a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner, making it 2-0.

The second half began with the Netherlands extending their advantage further. In the 47th minute Cody Gakpo, who had provided the first assist, turned a left-footed close-range effort into the net after a cross from Dumfries, pushing the score to 3-0.

Sweden’s first warning came in the 53rd minute when Gabriel Gudmundsson was shown a yellow card for a bad foul.

Just a minute later, the Dutch continued to press. Cody Gakpo added his second goal of the match in the 54th minute, striking a right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the bottom left corner after a fast-break pass from Crysencio Summerville. The score read 4-0.

Sweden managed to pull one back five minutes later. In the 59th minute Anthony Elanga scored for the visitors with a left-footed strike from the centre of the box, assisted by a through ball from Alexander Isak, reducing the deficit to 4-1.

The Swedish discipline slipped further as Yasin Ayari received a yellow card for a bad foul in the 75th minute, followed by Lucas Bergvall’s booking for a similar infringement in the 80th minute.

The match concluded with a late Dutch flourish. In the 89th minute Crysencio Summerville sealed the win, firing a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner, the move set up by Memphis Depay. The final score settled at 5-1.

Standout performers

Brian Brobbey was the most prolific scorer, netting twice in the first half and showcasing clinical finishing inside the box. Cody Gakpo contributed heavily, scoring two goals and providing the assist for the opening strike, highlighting his dual threat in attack. Denzel Dumfries supplied two decisive crosses that led to Brobbey’s and Gakpo’s goals, underlining his importance in the wide-area service.

Crysencio Summerville made a decisive impact on both ends of the pitch, delivering the assist for Gakpo’s second goal and then scoring the final goal himself. Memphis Depay’s assist for Summerville’s strike added depth to the Dutch attacking options.

For Sweden, Anthony Elanga’s goal offered a brief respite, and Alexander Isak’s through ball demonstrated his vision, though it was insufficient to change the overall result.

Match facts

  • Final score: Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
  • Goals:
    • 5' Brian Brobbey (assist Cody Gakpo)
    • 17' Brian Brobbey (assist Denzel Dumfries)
    • 47' Cody Gakpo (assist Denzel Dumfries)
    • 54' Cody Gakpo (assist Crysencio Summerville)
    • 59' Anthony Elanga (assist Alexander Isak) – Sweden
    • 89' Crysencio Summerville (assist Memphis Depay)
  • Bookings:
    • 53' Gabriel Gudmundsson (Sweden) – yellow card
    • 75' Yasin Ayari (Sweden) – yellow card
    • 80' Lucas Bergvall (Sweden) – yellow card
  • Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

What it means

The result gives the Netherlands a strong start to their Group F campaign in the FIFA World Cup 2026, while Sweden must look to recover points in their remaining group fixtures to stay in contention.