Ronald Koeman’s Dutch answer critics in style with five-star rout of Sweden

Brian Brobbey gave the Netherlands a flying start against Sweden in their FIFA World Cup World Cup World Cup 2026 Group F match in Houston on June 20, scoring twice inside the opening 17 minutes. The striker Brian Brobbey’s early double turned the spotlight on a player who has often been seen as a powerful but developing option in the Dutch attack.

Brian Brobbey opened the scoring in the fifth minute after Cody Gakpo delivered from the left. The forward arrived inside the six-yard box and finished from close range, giving the Netherlands immediate control. His second goal came 12 minutes later, when Denzel Dumfries drove a low cross from the right and Brian Brobbey got the decisive touch.

Brian Brobbey is a Netherlands international striker known for his strength, direct running and penalty-box presence. Born in Amsterdam, he came through Ajax’s youth system, representing the club at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 levels before breaking into senior football.