Marker play vs no marker play: “Let him play his last international match.”

The Netherlands national team has notched an important victory at the World Cup. In Houston, Oranje on Saturday evening proved too strong for Sweden with a 5-1 win. Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo together accounted for four goals and were the stand-out performers of Ronald Koeman’s side. Thanks to the comfortable win, a place in the knockout stage is getting closer all the time.

Ahead of the match, Koeman provided a surprise by giving Brobbey a spot in the starting lineup. The Sunderland striker was preferred over Crysencio Summerville, who, according to the national coach, was not quite fully fit. Frenkie de Jong also appeared in the starting lineup as normal, despite a mild concussion he suffered earlier this week after a training incident with Quinten Timber.

The choice for Brobbey quickly proved to be a bullseye. After just five minutes, Oranje took the first step toward victory. Cody Gakpo found his teammate with a sharp cross—who cleverly slipped away from his marker and slotted home the opening goal from close range.

The Netherlands then remained the dominant side. Sweden had little grip on the energetic play of Oranje, which, through the emerging Denzel Dumfries, continually created danger. After seventeen minutes, that again led to success. Dumfries reached Brobbey with a low cross and the striker worked the ball subtly behind goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt: 2-0.

With a comfortable lead, Oranje seemed on track for an carefree evening, but as the first half progressed, Sweden grew into the match. In particular, Viktor Gyökeres caused problems for the Dutch defense and tested Bart Verbruggen multiple times.

Yasin Ayari was also close to a goal, but the Dutch goalkeeper kept his team on track with a few impressive saves. Just before halftime, Sweden seemed to be able to get something back via Gustaf Lagerbielke, but his header was disallowed for offside.

Koeman decided to intervene after the break and brought Summerville on for Donyell Malen. That substitution had an effect almost immediately. Summerville launched an attack, after which Dumfries delivered another dangerous cross. Brobbey missed the ball by a whisker, but Gakpo was ready to poke the 3-0 home from close range.

That wasn’t all. Oranje maintained control and made optimal use of the spaces that opened up. After good preparatory work by Summerville, Gakpo got the chance to strike. The attacker did not hesitate and fired the ball convincingly from distance into the bottom corner for his second goal of the evening.

Sweden, via substitute Anthony Elanga, did something in return. The quick attacker slipped past the attention of the Dutch defense and made it 4-1, but there was no comeback.

In the closing phase, the Netherlands remained the most dangerous team. While Sweden went in search of a second goal, Oranje struck once more. Summerville capped his strong substitute appearance by scoring the Netherlands' fifth goal himself. With a fine piece of skill he dribbled towards the penalty area, after which he calmly finished.

The attacker was ultimately unable to finish the match after, in an unfortunate collision, he received a knee to his head. Even after the final whistle, he was still treated.

With the convincing victory, the Netherlands are doing excellent business in Group F. Koeman’s team are provisionally top and have the knockout stage within reach. What’s more, Oranje made history: for the fifteenth World Cup match in a row, the Netherlands remained unbeaten. That set a record previously shared with Brazil.

Koeman's decision to start Brobbey in the lineup therefore worked out extremely well. Sunderland's striker was eager, worked incredibly hard, and showed that he had the right attitude. Through his goals he immediately won over all of the Netherlands. In contrast to Memphis Depay, who now seems to have been demoted to third striker. Oranje's top scorer has been faltering for months with his fitness and delivered a poor performance in the opening World Cup match against Japan by losing virtually every ball.

Even though Memphis recorded an assist against Sweden for Summerville, it is to be hoped that the forward has played his last international match for Oranje. With Brobbey, Malen and Wout Weghorst as a game-changer, Koeman has plenty of options in the attacking positions.