Liverpool’s Dutch trio shone as the Netherlands thrashed Alexander Isak‘s Sweden 5-1 on Saturday, with Cody Gakpo scoring two and assisting another.
The Netherlands are all but certain to progress to the next stage of the World Cup after following up their 2-2 draw against Japan with a thumping victory over Sweden.
Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch all started again and helped Ronald Koeman’s side to a comprehensive victory in Houston.
It was Gakpo – a player who drew widespread criticism throughout the campaign with Liverpool – who stood out most as he laid on Brian Brobbey’s opener and scored a second-half double of his own.
How the Dutch media rated “golden boy” Gakpo
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands' Cody Gakpo during the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. England won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands' Cody Gakpo during the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. England won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
AD‘s Johan Inan awarded Gakpo and Brobbey team-high eight out of 10 ratings, describing the winger as the Netherlands’ “golden boy.”
“The Oranje’s top scorer at the last major tournament has risen again,” he wrote of Gakpo.
“After a tough year in Liverpool, Oranje’s golden boy is hitting his stride again. Just in time.”
He was rated a nine out of 10 by GOAL‘s Mark Doyle, who wrote: “The 27-year-old may be annoyingly inconsistent but ‘World Cup Cody Gakpo‘ is a seriously good player.”
Gakpo was not the only standout on the night – including assist-maker Isak up front for Sweden – and there was a timely display from Gravenberch in the middle of the park.
Having received mixed reviews for his performance against Japan, the midfielder was at his dominant best in the follow-up tie.
During BBC Sport’s coverage of the game, pundit Alan Shearer enthused: “He’s been everywhere. He’s epitomised everything good about the Dutch in midfield.”
Inan gave Gravenberch a 7.5 out of 10 in his ratings for AD, agreeing with Shearer that he was “unstoppable.”
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands' captain Virgil van Dijk during the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. England won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands' captain Virgil van Dijk during the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. England won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Leading the Netherlands at the back, Van Dijk as ever provided the platform for his side to build on, leading the game for touches (91) and passes completed (75 of 79), as well as the second-most defensive actions (nine).
He was, however, caught out by Isak’s through ball for a consolation goal for Anthony Elanga, while the striker caught the eye with a brilliant nutmeg on his club captain.
Next up for the Netherlands is a Group F closer against Tunisia on Friday night, with their opponents already confirmed to be eliminated after two defeats so far.
Sweden Kosovo WCup Soccer
Kosovo's Leon Avdullahu, left, challenges Sweden's Alexander Isak during the 2026 World Cup Group B qualifying soccer match between Sweden and Kosovo Monday Oct. 13, 2025 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Bjorn Larsson/TT News Agency via AP)
Victor Munoz Q&A FI
Victor Munoz Q&A FI