4 Takeaways From The Netherlands’ Dominant Win vs. Sweden At The World Cup

Total Football is here. 

The first World Cup match of a busy Saturday was a European clash between the Netherlands and Sweden, where the Oranje came out victorious with a commanding, overwhelming 5-1 victory at Houston stadium. The result takes them to the top of Group F, albeit temporarily until Japan faces Tunisia.

Ronald Koemans side gave an almost-complete performance, winning with confidence and fluidity, and much like the glory days of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff’s Total Football, it was full of attacking vigor, tenacious play and lots of goals. When this team plays in such a manner, it really elevates its chances of doing something special at this World Cup. Thats not to say Sweden didnt have its chances, as when the Netherlands lose the ball, they sometimes leave themselves vulnerable. But in the end, the Dutch side deserved its impressive win.

Prior to the tournament, in several shows and interviews, I discussed the Netherlands and their legitimate shot of winning it all and, as far back as November, I placed them sixth in my top 10 power rankings for the tournament. Koemans great work with this team has been evident for a while now and without anyone realizing, this is a team that is slowly showing that maybe it can do something it has never done: win the World Cup. 

Theres still a long way to go, but today the Netherlands showed why they are the real deal. 

Here are my takeaways:

Back in the 1970s, the Total Football philosophy created an identity for the Netherlands that essentially became a gift to the world. The concept of fluid positioning, stretching the opponent by making the pitch as wide as possible, collective pressing as well as switching formations mid-game, was a revelation, which took the Dutch to the 1974 World Cup final, before eventually losing to West Germany. 

Koeman has stated that at this World Cup, the concept of “TF” is difficult because of weather conditions in different cities. But at this stadium in Houston, where its fully enclosed, and it has regulated air-conditioning, the freedom to enforce its identity was ever so present. 

There were so many great examples of players occupying diverse spaces and becoming so threatening when entering the box. Denzel Dumfries, for example, was everywhere on the right wing and even came more central as the Dutch attacked. It was his cross that became the assist for Cody Gakpo. The midfield of Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch were also magnificent, pulling the strings and protecting the center of the pitch.

The bench, too, is also full of a dynamic arsenal as Crysencio Summerville came in the second half and scored his second goal of the tournament.

Throughout the match, the Netherlands constantly had 8 players inside the box, aiming to pressure Sweden and not allow them to leave its own half.

Today in Houston, the Netherlands reminded us why they invented the most influential and attack-minded philosophy in the world …and why it might finally pay off for them.  

One of the biggest question marks in modern times for the Netherlands — arguably the best team in international football that has never won the World Cup — is that despite the aesthetically pleasing football, it often struggles to find consistent quality upfront. Memphis Depay, the countrys top scorer, is now 32 and not the 90-minute threat he once was.

But in Brian Brobbey, they might just have the answer. His physicality, ability to hold up play and be very direct when entering the box was so refreshing to see, as he reminds me so much of the old-school, classic No.9 that has only one thing on his mind: head towards goal and score. Very much like Gerd Müller or Hristo Stoichkov. 

Gakpo was also brilliant, causing absolute havoc o