Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey both scored twice as the rampant Netherlands thrashed Sweden 5-1 in a World Cup warning on Saturday in Houston.
The big win, played in front of almost 69,000 fans, moved the Netherlands close to reaching the knockout stage and helped them recover after a draw with Japan.
Even though Sweden lost heavily, they still created several chances but were stopped by good goalkeeping and poor finishing. They still have a chance to move into the last 32.
Brobbey, a Sunderland striker, started his first match of the tournament and rewarded coach Koeman by scoring goals in the 5th and 17th minutes.
Liverpool forward Gakpo, who assisted Brobbey’s first goal, scored twice in the early second half. Substitute Anthony Elanga scored for Sweden just before the hour with a good finish, and Crysencio Summerville added the fifth goal for the Netherlands near the end.
Brobbey was involved in the opening goal, combining with Gakpo, who crossed low from the left for him to score from close range.
Sweden, who had earlier beaten Tunisia 5-1, struggled to deal with Brobbey’s physical presence.
Their main attackers, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, had few chances in the match.
Brobbey made it 2-0 after a deflected cross from Denzel Dumfries fell to him, and he finished from close range.
At the drinks break, Sweden’s coach Graham Potter spoke to defender Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was struggling against Dumfries and Donyell Malen.
Coach Koeman brought on Summerville at half-time, and soon after Gakpo scored again from a low cross by Dumfries, making it 3-0.
Gakpo added a stylish fourth goal in the 54th minute after turning his defender and shooting into the corner.
Elanga pulled one back for Sweden five minutes later by running through the Dutch defence and scoring past the goalkeeper.
Summerville then completed the 5-1 scoreline late in the match with his second goal in North America.
