Reijnders involved in impressive Netherlands win over Sweden | OneFootball

Tijjani Reijnders played just short of an hour as the Netherlands defeated Sweden 5-1 in an exciting World Cup clash in Houston, Texas.

Reijnders had a hand in their early opener, playing in Cody Gapko down the left channel with the Liverpool forward playing in Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey for a poacher’s finish from close-range on five minutes.

Brobbey doubled his and the Dutch total soon after, getting a touch on a Denzel Dumfries centre.

Despite the double setback, Sweden improved as the half went on, with Viktor Gyökeres, Yasin Ayari and Aleksandar Isak leading the charge.

Gustaf Lagerbielke thought he’d pulled one back at the end of the first period as he nodded home a whipped cross from Benjamin Nygren but he was adjudged to be offside as the ball came in.

Gakpo extended the lead at the start of the second half, finishing off at the back post from another Dumfries centre.

Gakpo soon made it four for the Dutch, blasting home a low shot after being played in by West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville who had replaced former Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen at half-time.

It marked the 100th goal of this World Cup in the 33rd game of the competition which is the quickest that target has been reached since the 1958 edition, which incidentally was played in Sweden and won by Brazil.

Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga – just on as a sub - pulled one back for the Swedes just shy of the hour mark latching onto a precise ball through by Isak to race clear and finish expertly past Bart Verbruggen in the Dutch goal.

There was an individual moment of brilliance at the death, Summerville producing a wonderful finish from 20 yards out to put an extra shine on the scoreline.

Nathan Ake was an unused substitute for Ronald Koeman’s side at Houston Stadium.

The victory in their second Group F match follows the 2-2 draw with Japan in the opener and sees the Dutch go top.

Tunisia face Japan at 05:00 (UK) in the early hours of Sunday in Mexico’s Estadio BBVA.

The final game for Netherlands sees them face Tunisia next Friday with a Midnight (UK) at Kansas City Stadium.