Netherlands vs Sweden: Gakpo leads the way in 5-1 win

Netherlands put Sweden away 5-1, and Cody Gakpo was the clear standout with a 9.6 rating, two goals and one assist. Brian Brobbey added a brace, while Denzel Dumfries created two goals from right-back. It was the kind of attacking performance that leaves very little debate about who controlled the game.

Gakpo, Brobbey and Dumfries set the tone

Gakpo's performance was the most complete of the night. He scored twice, set up one more, and kept Netherlands on the front foot whenever they moved into the final third. Brobbey's two goals came in a 72-minute outing, which gave the home side the early separation they needed. Dumfries then kept feeding the attack from the flank, and two assists from a full-back is a strong return in any game, never mind one this one-sided.

Crysencio Summerville came off the bench to add the fifth, but the scoring had already been settled by then. The spread of goals mattered too, because this was not a one-man show. Netherlands got production from the wing, from centre-forward and from deep on the right, which is exactly the sort of balance that makes a 5-1 scoreline look even more comfortable than it already was.

Sweden's response came from Elanga and Isak

Sweden had a couple of moments worth salvaging. Anthony Elanga scored their only goal from Alexander Isak's through ball, and Graham Potter was willing to accept that the scoreline was harsh while still saying the Netherlands deserved to win. Isak also finished with one assist and four key passes, but Sweden still spent most of the night chasing the ball.

Elanga's 7.9 rating was Sweden's best, and Isak's 7.0 was decent enough on paper. Neither was enough to change the balance of the match. Netherlands had too much quality in the final third and too many different ways to hurt them, which is why the game moved away from Sweden so quickly.

For Netherlands, the result leaves them top of Group F with four points from two matches and a +4 goal difference. Sweden are third on three points after the defeat, with a much tougher look about their remaining work.