Clear thing in World Cup Group F
©IMAGO
The Dutch national team has forgotten the weak start to the World Cup and has the best prospects for the knockout round again. Bonds coach Ronald Koeman’s Orange selection won 5-1 (2-0) in Houston against Sweden, who were strong at the start, and moved past the Scandinavians into first place in Group F.
Former Leipzig player Brian Brobbey, who was moved into the starting line-up, scored twice for the Dutch in the 5th and 17th minutes in front of the royal family. Shortly after the break, Cody Gakpo increased twice (47th and 54th). Sweden had little to counter the high speed of the Dutch, who played in their classic 4-3-3 system – Anthony Elanga (59th) scored to make it 1:4. Substitute Crysencio Summerville (89′) made the final score 5-1.
Thousands of Dutch fans once again marched together to the stadium. In the huge arena in the Texas city, the Dutch were clearly in the majority – and sang loudly. With a strong selection once again, Oranje is dreaming of their first World Cup title; three and a half years ago in Qatar, they were defeated in the quarter-finals against eventual world champions Argentina.
Six days after the weak opening game against Japan (2:2), the Koeman team started very committed and initially took control of the game. And the Bond coach, who was criticized for his substitution strategy, had a luckier hand this time: Brobbey, somewhat surprisingly, was put into the starting line-up for Summerville, who were strong against Japan – and thanked him with the early double pack in front of 68,777 spectators.
“In the Netherlands we always have a lot of pressure,” Koeman said before the game. The former world-class defender made his international debut against Sweden 43 years ago – and lost 3-0. “I have never forgotten my first international match,” he said. His team now has to show “a good performance” against the Swedes at this World Cup all the more.
English coach Graham Potter’s Swedish selection appeared taken by surprise after falling behind early on. It wasn’t until about half an hour later that Tre Kronor approached the Dutch goal in an increasingly dangerous manner. Hopes once again lay on the super storm with Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak, who each scored once in the 5-1 win against Tunisia. Gyökeres tested Bart Verbruggen from a promising position in the 37th minute.
Former Dortmund player Donyell Malen almost scored the third Oranje goal shortly before the half-time whistle – but his sharp cross from the right side into the penalty area went just past the post (40th). On the other side, a supposed header goal from Gustaf Lagerbielke did not count because the defender was offside from the previous free kick (45th). When Gyökeres tried a free kick a little later, Verbruggen was there again (45th + 3).
Liverpool’s Gakpo made things clear for the Dutch shortly after the restart with his goal. Summerville, who came on as a substitute for Malen at half-time, initiated the attack – another successful substitution from Koeman. After Gakpo’s second goal a little later, the game seemed decided, and Elanga’s Swedish goal didn’t change that. On the contrary: Summerville restored the old distance in the final phase.