Netherlands vs Sweden: Gakpo, Brobbey doubles give Dutch 5–1 World Cup win

Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey both scored twice as the rampant Netherlands thrashed Sweden 5-1 in a World Cup warning to the favourites. The big win on Saturday in front of nearly 69,000 at Houston Stadium put the delighted Dutch on the cusp of the knockout rounds and gave them lift-off after being held by Japan. Ronald Koeman’s side top Group F with four points from two games, ahead of Sweden on three, Japan (one) and Tunisia (zero). Despite the sobering loss, the Swedes had plenty of chances but were denied by good goalkeeping and wasteful finishing. Sunderland striker Brobbey got his first start of the tournament and repaid Koeman with predatory goals after five and 17 minutes. Before that, the 24-year-old had scored only once for his country since making his debut three years ago. Brian Brobbey scored the first two Dutch goals in the space of 12 minutes [Phil Noble/Reuters] In a game full of top Premier League talent, Liverpool’s Gakpo – who set Brobbey up for the opener – scored twice early in the second half. Substitute Anthony Elanga from Newcastle United pulled one back for Sweden just before the hour with a classy finish. West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville had the last word for the five-star Dutch. Two crew members from the historic Artemis II lunar mission were among the VIP guests, a nod to Houston’s place as the home of space flight. …