The Netherlands bounced back from their disappointing opening day draw with Japan with a thumping win over Sweden. A brace each from Cody Gapko and Biran Brobbey set the tone, and even though Sweden pulled one back, Crysencio Summerville made it five late on. Sweden become the first team ever to win their opening World Cup match by four goals, only to lose their next match by four goals. A tough day for Graham Potter, a little stat for your pub quiz!
Player Ratings
Netherlands
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Bart Verbruggen | 7.8 | Made key saves from Gyökeres and Ayari to preserve Netherlands' two-goal lead. |
Denzel Dumfries | 8.3 | Two assists from quality crosses, repeatedly dangerous overlapping down the right. |
Jan Paul van Hecke | 7.0 | Blocked Gyökeres late and contributed to solid defensive display from centre-back. |
Virgil van Dijk | 7.2 | Captained the side with composure, organising the defence and winning aerial duels. |
Micky van de Ven | 6.9 | Fulfilled defensive duties at left-back without creating significant attacking moments. |
Ryan Gravenberch | 7.0 | Drew the foul for Ayari's booking and provided energy in central midfield. |
Frenkie de Jong | 7.5 | Controlled the midfield until his 59th-minute substitution with intelligent passing and recoveries. |
Tijjani Reijnders | 6.8 | Had a shot blocked inside the area before making way on 59 minutes. |
Donyell Malen | 6.5 | Withdrawn at half-time having created little attacking threat in 45 minutes. |
Cody Gakpo | 9.2 | Two goals and an assist; pace and directness from the left troubled Sweden throughout. |
Brian Brobbey | 8.5 | Two clinical first-half finishes and constant movement that unsettled Sweden's defence. |
Crysencio Summerville | 8.0 | Made instant impact off the bench with an assist and the fifth goal. |
Teun Koopmeiners | 6.5 | Helped maintain control after replacing De Jong but created no clear chances. |
Guus Til | 6.4 | Limited involvement after replacing Reijnders as Netherlands controlled proceedings comfortably. |
Memphis Depay | 7.0 | Provided the assist for Summerville's late strike after replacing Brobbey. |
Noa Lang | 6.0 | Entered in the 90th minute with no time to make an impact. |
Sweden
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Kristoffer Nordfeldt | 5.5 | Made some saves but was repeatedly exposed by an overwhelmed defence. |
Gustaf Lagerbielke | 6.3 | Had goal ruled out for offside and made important blocks on Dutch attackers. |
Isak Hien | 5.8 | Struggled to cope with Brobbey and Gakpo's movement during the damaging opening period. |
Victor Lindelöf | 6.0 | Captained the side and made a crucial block on Brobbey in the 63rd minute. |
Alexander Bernhardsson | 5.3 | Struggled in his wing-back role and was replaced by the impactful Elanga. |
Jesper Karlström | 5.6 | Had one shot that struck a teammate and struggled against Dutch midfield quality. |
Yasin Ayari | 6.2 | Sweden's most active midfielder with multiple efforts but earned a yellow card. |
Gabriel Gudmundsson | 5.7 | Booked for fouling Summerville and struggled to provide defensive solidity on his flank. |
Benjamin Nygren | 5.5 | Quiet in the number ten role; delivered the free kick for the disallowed goal. |
Viktor Gyökeres | 6.4 | Created Sweden's best chances but was repeatedly denied by Verbruggen's saves. |
Alexander Isak | 6.7 | Threaded the pass for Elanga's goal and had a curled effort saved late. |
Lucas Bergvall | 5.8 | Shot over after a good dribble but was booked for fouling Gakpo. |
Anthony Elanga | 7.2 | Scored just three minutes after coming on, finishing clinically after bursting through. |
Besfort Zeneli | 5.9 | Had one weak shot comfortably saved after entering in the triple substitution. |
Taha Ali | 5.7 | Made some attacking runs from the left but had limited time to impact. |
Elliot Stroud | 5.5 | Entered in the 93rd minute with virtually no time to influence proceedings. |
