Houston: Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scored twice each as the Netherlands defeated Sweden 5-1 on Saturday to bounce back from a disappointing draw in their opening match and move to the top of the Group F standings.
Brobbey's two goals came in the first half, helping the Dutch make a flying start and cruise to victory after their 2-2 draw with Japan on Sunday.
The win gives the Netherlands a group-leading four points. Sweden remain on three points, with Japan and Tunisia scheduled to play later on Saturday.
Gakpo, who also provided an assist, extended the lead to 3-0 shortly after half-time, scoring in the 47th minute from a cross by Denzel Dumfries. He matched Brobbey's tally when he scored with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box in the 54th minute.
Sweden were unable to build on their impressive 5-1 victory over Tunisia in their opening match. The defeat was their heaviest at a World Cup since a 7-1 loss to Brazil in 1950.
The Netherlands' game plan of attacking down the flanks to stretch Sweden and deliver crosses for Brobbey worked perfectly early on. He gave the Dutch the lead in the fifth minute when Gakpo crossed into the middle of the box and Brobbey struck a first-time effort with his right foot before tumbling to the turf.
His second goal came in the 17th minute when he slid in to meet a Dumfries cross and managed to get enough contact with his right foot to guide the ball inside the far post.
Anthony Elanga's left-footed strike reduced the deficit to 4-1 in the 59th minute and ensured Sweden avoided a shutout.
Sweden had several opportunities to score before that, but Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was outstanding in the first half, making four saves.
Sweden appeared to have pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 when Gustaf Lagerbielke headed home in the 44th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Lagerbielke is a baron from a Swedish noble family. His father and grandfather are counts.
However, he was not the only member of royalty in attendance on Saturday, as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands watched the match from a luxury suite.
The crowd of 68,777 was largely made up of Netherlands supporters, many of whom completed the Oranje Fanwalk from Rice University to Houston Stadium on Saturday morning.
Crysencio Summerville, who assisted Gakpo's second goal, added the Netherlands' fifth goal in the 89th minute and celebrated with NBA star Stephen Curry's famous "night night" gesture.
Sweden conclude their group-stage campaign on Thursday against Japan at Dallas Stadium, while the Netherlands face Tunisia later that evening in Kansas City.