Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said there were still areas of improvement for his side despite the thumping win. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

The Netherlands’ convincing victory in the World Cup on Saturday has offered coach Ronald Koeman peace of mind as a ​sharp-looking attack cut Sweden apart and catapulted the Dutch closer to the next round.

There ‌was an impressive precision to the side’s forward play as Brian ​Brobbey and Cody Gakpo both scored twice and substitute ⁠Crysencio Summerville added a fifth in an exciting 5-1 win.

“With that first goal, you saw everything you want to see,” Koeman said of Gakpo’s precise cross and Brobbey’s ‌finish to hand the Netherlands a quick lead in the fifth minute.

“It was a fantastic ball from Cody, and it ‌gave us a fantastic start. That gives you confidence.”

The Dutch had ‌twice ⁠let the lead slip in their opening Group F encounter ⁠against Japan in Dallas last weekend so the three points, and massive boost to their goal difference, were welcomed.

“Yes, of course, we needed this. When you start a tournament, you ​want to start well. It ‌gives you peace of mind,” Koeman said at the post-match press conference.

“There was also a bit more pressure on us to win. Otherwise, everything would come down to the final group match, and you don’t ‌want that.

“We did a lot of things well, but despite the ​5–1 victory, you can still see that at certain moments, when the opposition changed the way they play, it took ⁠us too long to recognise it.

“It was a good win, but enough things happened that make you say: ‘something has to be better’. Otherwise, you’ve played ‌a complete match. This one was very close to that,” he added.

Among the areas of concern was Donyell Malen on the right flank, played wide in a positional switch with Brobbey preferred as lead attacker.

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Malen did not always make the right defensive decisions, said Koeman, and was taken off at halftime for Summerville, who did not start because of a ‌slight hamstring niggle.

“I think Summerville is stronger defensively. We talk a lot with the players ​about recognising tactical changes on the pitch quicker. I understand that the substitution is difficult for Donyell, but this is ⁠top-level football. Team performances are what matter.

“Before the match, I sat down with ⁠him and explained why he would play on the right and that he would have the freedom to cut inside, because ‌he is not a natural right winger.

“Donyell is certainly not being made the scapegoat; he could even start as the striker in the ​next match. Brobbey had some minor hamstring issues,” Koeman added.

Published on Jun 21, 2026