The Netherlands are “embracing” their qualification to the “32” of the World Cup starting today after their emphatic 5-1 victory over Sweden in Houston. Now, with 4 points in Group 6 after 2 matches and with their last match against Tunisia, the “oranges” are the absolute favorites for the championship, while the Scandinavians, after the “three points” of the premiere, will play a “final” of qualification with Japan.

The “Oranie” completely surprised the Swedes with Brian Brombey scoring twice in the 5th and 17th minutes with assists from Hakpo and Dumfries. Koeman’s team ended the half with a 2-0 lead, although the Scandinavians had their moments with shots from Aijar and Jokeres to get back into the game.

The “modest ceremony” at the “NRG” stadium ended before even 10 minutes had passed in the second half. This was because the Netherlands surprised the Swedes again and with two goals from Hakpo in the 47th and 54th minutes, essentially gave the rest of the match a procedural character.

All Graham Potter’s team managed to do was reduce the deficit in the 59th minute with a shot by Elanga, four minutes after entering the field, while the “icing on the cake” was put by Somerville in the 89th minute.  

Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Yellow cards: Gudmundsson, Ajyari, Bergvall 

The compositions:

NETHERLANDS (R. Koeman): Verbrugghen, Van Dijk, Van Eke, Van de Ven, Dumfries, Hravenberg, Ryders (59′ Till), De Jong (59′ Koopmeiners), Hakpo (90’+1 Lang), Mullen (46′ Summerville), Brombey (72′ Depay)
SWEDEN (Gr. Potter): Nordfeld, Lagerbilke, Lindelof, Hien, Gudmundsson, Berndsson (55′ Elanga), Nygren (56′ Bergvall), Karlstrom (56′ Zenelli), Ayari (79′ Ali), Isak, Jokeres