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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Nick Ames at Houston Stadium

Brobbey and Gakpo at the double as five-star Netherlands crush sorry Sweden

Brian Brobbey celebrates with teammates after scoring the Netherlands’ first goal against Sweden.
Brian Brobbey (centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the Netherlands’ opening goal. Photograph: Molly Darlington/Getty Images

It turns out Sweden do not have a monopoly on old-fashioned centre-forward play. They were schooled in it here by Brian Brobbey, who was brought in by Ronald Koeman to give the Netherlands’ attack a focal point and swiftly made his under-pressure manager resemble a genius. Brobbey scored twice in the opening 17 minutes to pave the way for a crushing win, proving impossible to handle with a cocktail of strength, touch and finishing.

Koeman had criticised his own decisions after Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Japan, lamenting substitutions that failed to pay off. This time he could, if the mood took him, pat himself firmly on the back. There was yet more to enjoy in the contribution of Crysencio Summerville, who sparkled after his half-time introduction. Summerville finished unerringly late on to complete a rout that leaves Sweden dizzy from finishing on different ends of the same scoreline.

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