FIFA WC 2026: Brobbey and Gakpo match Robben-Van Persie feat in 5-1 win
Synopsis
Twelve years and seven days after Robben and Van Persie made Dutch football history, Brobbey and Gakpo did it all over again — two goals each in a 5-1 World Cup win. The Netherlands are top of Group F, have just hit 100 World Cup goals, and look ominously like the tournament's most complete side.
Key Takeaways
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo each scored twice in the Netherlands' 5-1 win over Sweden at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Houston on 21 June .
The pair matched the feat of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie , who last achieved this in the famous 5-1 win over Spain at Brazil 2014 — a record held for 12 years and seven days .
Brobbey netted twice inside the first 17 minutes ; Gakpo added two more in nine minutes after the break.
The Netherlands became only the eighth team in FIFA World Cup history to reach the 100-goal milestone .
The Dutch lead Group F with four points from two matches and face Tunisia in their final group game.
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo each scored twice as the Netherlands demolished Sweden 5-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage fixture in Houston on 21 June, matching a historic Dutch record set by Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie exactly 12 years and seven days earlier. The pair became only the second Dutch duo to score twice each in the same World Cup match, joining their legendary predecessors from the iconic 2014 dismantling of Spain.
Brobbey Sets the Tone Early
Brobbey was the sole change to the Dutch starting line-up from their opening match and wasted no time making his mark. He scored twice inside the first 17 minutes, putting the Netherlands firmly in control before the half-hour mark. 'I didn't know that, but I'm very proud. Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben are legends in the Netherlands. To be mentioned alongside them is something that makes both me and the team proud. It's incredible to make an immediate impact,' Brobbey said.
Gakpo Seals It After the Break
The second half belonged to Gakpo, who struck twice in the space of nine minutes to put the result beyond doubt and cement his place in the record books. 'It's a good list to be part of. Robben and Van Persie, and now Brian and me today. It's definitely something to be proud of,' said Gakpo.
A Record Held for 12 Years
The original feat was set on 13 June 2014, when the Netherlands stunned reigning world champions Spain 5-1 in the group stage at Brazil 2014. Robben and Van Persie delivered performances that are still considered among the finest in World Cup history, and the duo held their unique distinction alone for over a decade. Gakpo, who was just 15 years old during that tournament, recalled watching from home: 'It was a very tense game to watch on TV because we had lost the 2010 final to Spain. So facing them in the opening match of 2014… Everyone hoped we would win, but we knew how strong Spain were. I think they scored from a penalty early on, but after Van Persie's header, everything changed for the team and for the country. We played brilliantly. I remember every goal from that match.'
Netherlands Reach 100-Goal Milestone
Notably, the victory also saw the Netherlands become only the eighth team in FIFA World Cup history to reach the 100-goal milestone — an elite marker that underscores the nation's enduring pedigree on the global stage.
Group F Standings and What's Next
The win took the Netherlands to the top of Group F with four points from two matches. Their final group-stage fixture is against Tunisia, with a place in the knockout rounds firmly within reach. This is the second consecutive 5-1 result for the Dutch in this tournament, signalling a side firing on all cylinders at exactly the right time.
Point of View
Same stage, same Dutch ruthlessness — but the context is different. In 2014, Robben and Van Persie were dismantling the world champions; in 2026, Brobbey and Gakpo are doing it against Sweden, a team of lesser pedigree. The record is real, but the weight of opposition matters. What this result does confirm is that the Netherlands have genuine depth and a clinical edge that most Group F rivals cannot match. Whether that translates to a deep run depends on the draw, not just the goals.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Brobbey and Gakpo set at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo became only the second Dutch duo to each score twice in the same World Cup match, joining Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie who achieved the feat in the 5-1 win over Spain at Brazil 2014. The record had stood for 12 years and seven days.
What was the score in the Netherlands vs Sweden FIFA World Cup 2026 match?
The Netherlands defeated Sweden 5-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F fixture played in Houston on 21 June. Brobbey scored twice in the first 17 minutes and Gakpo added two more after the break.
How did Cody Gakpo remember the 2014 Netherlands vs Spain match?
Gakpo, who was 15 at the time, recalled watching the 2014 match on television and said the atmosphere was tense given the Netherlands had lost the 2010 final to Spain. He said Van Persie's famous header was a turning point and that he remembers every goal from that game.
What milestone did the Netherlands reach during the Sweden match?
The Netherlands became only the eighth team in FIFA World Cup history to score 100 goals at the tournament, reaching the landmark during their 5-1 victory over Sweden.
Where do the Netherlands stand in Group F after two matches?
The Netherlands lead Group F with four points from two matches following their 5-1 win over Sweden. They face Tunisia in their final group-stage fixture.
