The Netherlands made history by thrashing Sweden 5–1 in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup. The win gave the Dutch a new record of 14 consecutive World Cup matches unbeaten, surpassing Brazil.
It also strengthened Ronald Koeman’s side’s hold on top spot in Group F and moved them a big step closer to the knockout round.
Pelé’s Brazil had gone 13 World Cup matches unbeaten from 1958 to 1966. The Netherlands last lost at a World Cup in the 2010 final; they then exited the 2014 and 2022 editions on penalties. The Dutch lead Group F with 4 points from 2 matches. The win over Sweden has put Koeman’s side in a strong position in the race for the knockout round. Sweden are second with 3 points from the same number of matches. Third-placed Japan have 1 point from 1 match. Tunisia, beaten 5–1 by Sweden, are bottom without a point.
The Netherlands–Sweden match kicked off in Houston at 11 p.m. Bangladesh time on Saturday, June 20. Playing attacking football from the start, Bryan Brobbey scored twice for the Netherlands within 17 minutes.
The Netherlands went ahead in the fifth minute, Brobbey turning in a fine pass from Cody Gakpo.
He doubled the lead in the 17th minute, slotting home a ball from Denzel Dumfries on the right for the Sunderland forward’s third goal in the Dutch national shirt.
The Netherlands grew even more dangerous after the break. In the 47th minute, Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo finished superbly from a Denzel Dumfries assist for the team’s third. He then made it 4 with a brilliant strike in the 54th minute for his second of the night.
In the 59th minute, Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden on the counter-attack. But the Netherlands added another late on. Crysencio Summerville finished neatly for the Dutch fifth in the 87th minute.
The 5–1 win brought not just three points but a new chapter in World Cup history. With Brazil left behind, the record of 14 consecutive matches unbeaten now belongs to the Dutch alone.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report