Netherlands 5-1 Sweden - 2026 FIFA World Cup result as Brian Brobbey, Cody Gakpo and Crysencio Summerville all target for dominant Dutch in Houston

The Netherlands took a big step towards qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stages with an emphatic 5-1 win over Sweden.

It was the perfect response to a nervy 2-2 draw with Japan in their Group F opener, as Ronald Koeman's side showed their own version of total football with a display of some wonderful attacking play.

Braces from Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo, along with Crysencio Summerville's late strike, sealed the rout, while Anthony Elanga netted what proved to be a mere consolation for Graham Potter's side.

Sweden can feel a little hard done by after showing some positive spells during the game, and they ultimately registered more shots than Ronald Koeman's side. However, the Dutch were worthy winners.

Brobbey put the Netherlands on course for victory in just the fifth minute with a close-range finish. He then completed his brace by sliding home Denzel Dumfries' cross, scoring their 100th World Cup finals goal in the process.

Gakpo added a third for Koeman's team within two minutes of the restart, as Dumfries was the provider once again, leaving the Liverpool midfielder to fire home from deep inside the box.

He would then strike again after being played through by Summerville with a fine right-footed finish.

Elanga netted just before the hour mark with a clinical left-footed finish from Alexander Isak's pass to get Sweden on the scoresheet.

But Summerville ensured the Dutch had the last word with a brilliant strike of his own, with Memphis Depay the provider.

The Netherlands conclude their group campaign against Tunisia in Kansas City next Friday, while Sweden play Japan in Dallas the same day.

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The Dutch have laid down a marker with an emphatic victory in Houston!

Summerville takes a knock to the head accidentally late on, and is withdrawn early.

The Dutch will play the remaining seconds with 10 men.

No hat-trick for Gakpo today, as he's replaced by Lang.

There will be five added minutes to be played here.

That was a lovely finish that could add a few extra million onto his summer price tag!

Depay feeds in the current West Ham man, who places his finish past Nordfeldt into the bottom corner.

Ali feeds in Isak, whose shot from a central position is parried behind by Verbruggen.

The resulting corner sees the ball cleared out to Zeneli, whose shot goes straight into the Dutch goalkeeper's grasp.

The Tottenham midfielder is cautioned for a late lunge on Gakpo.

A pretty straightforward decision from Michael Oliver, as Ayari attempts to pull back Gravenberch.

A heroic stint for the Sunderland striker comes to an end.

The customary jeers are audible across the stadium as we head into the second hydration break.

It comes just after Gudmundsson drills in a cross from the left, which fails to find a Swedish team-mate.

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Elanga comes on and makes an immediate impact, latching onto Isak's through ball and fires a clinical left-footed strike past Verbruggen.

They couldn't come back now, surely?