Cody Gakpo shined in the World Cup match against Sweden

 Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring for the Netherlands (AP) Liverpool's version of Gakpo - the Gakpo Premier League - could often forcefully place the ball in a different time dimension than the one it was currently in. But this is the Gakpo of the World Championships, the Gakpo of the Netherlands, more agile and balanced, ruthless and accurate. He stabilized himself before firing a powerful shot towards Swedish goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt's goal. Gakpo scored five goals in seven World Cup matches after playing a brilliant role in the 5-1 win over Sweden. He has 23 goals in 52 appearances for the national team, which gives him an average of more than one goal every two matches. It wouldn't be fair to say he never showed his potential at Liverpool. Gakpo scored 18 goals in the 2024-25 season, when Liverpool won the Premier League, and became a key link in the team led by Arne Slot, diligently performing defensive tasks and supporting the attack. However, his best performances became increasingly rare. Last season he scored only nine goals in 52 games. His goal tally for Liverpool is 50 goals in 180 games. Not bad, but not the same player Liverpool expected after his performances in Qatar, when he scored in all three World Cup group games. “It's a little different,” Gakpo said when asked to explain how it is possible for him to play at such a high level for the national team. – The way I play here, where the coach wants me to be, the freedom I have at the club – he added, and then seemed to reflect that he had said too much. He was certainly helped in this match by the presence of Brian Brobbey, the Sunderland striker, who turned out to be a real nightmare for the Swedish defense. – We always knew what his strengths were, he is very strong – very, very strong – Gakpo laughed. – His play with his back to the goal and the fact that he can get into the penalty area at the right moment is amazing. We used his advantages very well today, in quick actions. During the first goal, he even joined the action from behind, running towards the opponent's goal. So we used his strengths very well and I'm glad he scored two goals. Before the tournament, the Netherlands' attack was pointed out as its weakest link. The defense consisting of Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven and Denzel Dumfries seems to be classy. The midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders is as strong as any in the World Cup. But where will the goals come from? Brobbey had just one goal in 13 appearances before this match. Gakpo has struggled with form for Liverpool this season. Crysencio Summerville was relegated to the lower league with West Ham. The presence of Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst in the squad only indicated the lack of substitutes. But after Ronald Koeman replaced Crysencio in the starting lineup with Brobbey in the match against Japan (2-2), the Dutch team gained a fluid and talented attack that destroyed the Swedes. Brobbey and Gakpo scored two goals each, with Summerville adding the fifth. Gakpo, Summerville and Depay, who came on as a substitute, all provided assists, as did Dumfries, who contributed twice as a right-back. So was the Netherlands underrated? “We have very diverse strengths,” Gakpo replied. –Speed, good play in the penalty area, we are physically strong. Memphis showed its strengths. Even on the bench we still have Justin Kluivert and Weghorst, who have not played yet, but who can help the team. – In the match against Japan there was a lot of discipline on their part, few goal chances, like today. Today there was more diversity in our attack, different positions and movements, so it was harder for defenders to stop us. --- ## Related Articles 1. [Hà Lan công bố vũ khí bí mật tại World Cup khi Thụy Điển lộ rõ thực lực](https://banthangvn.com/vi/news/ha-lan-cong-bo-vu-khi-bi-mat-tai-world-cup-khi-thuy-ien-lo-ro-thuc-luc) 2. [World Cup 2026](https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/elanga-nakabawi-ng-gol-para-sa-sweden-ngunit-netherlands-patuloy-ang-pagdomina-sa-world-cup-laban)