The Netherlands didn’t just beat Sweden on Saturday. They made history, and they did it with a statement win that left a 69-year-old record in the dust.
Ronald Koeman’s side rolled to a 5-1 win in Houston, pushing their unbeaten World Cup run to 14 matches. That’s the longest streak in tournament history, surpassing the 13-game mark Brazil held since 1966. The Dutch had tied that record earlier in the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Japan. Now they own it outright.
This is a streak that stretches all the way back to the 2010 final, when they lost to Spain on penalties (which officially count as draws for record purposes). That’s four World Cups without a regulation defeat. Not bad for a team that often gets talked about for failing to win the whole thing.
Brobbey’s First Half Changed Everything
Koeman made a call to start Brian Brobbey over Crysencio Summerville, and it paid off inside five minutes. Brobbey got on the end of a low cross from Cody Gakpo and buried it. Twelve minutes later, he was at it again — this time finishing a delivery from Denzel Dumfries to make it 2-0.
That second goal was the Netherlands’ 100th in World Cup finals history. Nice milestone, but they weren’t done.
Sweden thought they had one back before halftime when Gustaf Lagerbielke put it in the net, but the flag went up. Offside. Any momentum they might have built died right there.
Gakpo Took Over After the Break
Whatever Koeman said at halftime, it worked. Gakpo scored twice in the opening minutes of the second half. First from close range after another Dumfries assist, then on a fast break with Summerville providing the setup. Gakpo now has five goals in seven World Cup appearances, which puts him two behind Johnny Rep for the all-time Netherlands lead at the tournament.
Anthony Elanga gave Sweden a moment they could actually celebrate, finishing a pass from Alexander Isak just before the hour mark. But Summerville — who came on at halftime — restored the four-goal lead late, adding a goal to go with his earlier assist.
For Sweden, this was their worst World Cup loss since 1950, when Brazil beat them 7-1. Graham Potter’s side actually had more shots than the Netherlands and controlled possession for stretches. But they couldn’t match the Dutch efficiency in front of goal, and that’s the difference between walking away with a point and getting blown out.
The Netherlands close group play against Tunisia. Sweden’s final group match is against Japan.
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