This was the Netherlands\u2019 first victory at the FIFA World Cup 2026. It also proved to be a much-needed result, securing top spot in Group F following a frustrating draw with Japan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I think the outside world underestimated Japan a little; they\u2019re a great team. That match was always going to be difficult. The reactions after that game were a bit \u2013 I wouldn\u2019t say disrespectful, but\u2026 Japan were unbeaten for a while; they went a spell without conceding a goal. They beat Brazil, England and Scotland. It was always going to be tough.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Coming away with a draw, conceding a goal at the end \u2013 of course that leaves a bitter taste. But there were plenty of positives in that match, and that\u2019s what we\u2019ve been building on this week. I think today showed what we did well, especially in the first half of both halves. In the end, it\u2019s all about winning, and we won 5\u20131. We\u2019ll recover and move on to the next match,\" FIFA quoted Van Dijk as saying. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Netherlands put up a five-star show in an all-European encounter with Sweden and leapfrogged to the summit of Group F after braces from Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo secured a thrilling 5-1 victory in Houston.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think we were outstanding for most of the match. We were very solid defensively, strong going forward, and scored five brilliant goals\u2026 Now we\u2019re on to the next one. It wasn\u2019t just them. Of course, we\u2019re well aware of the quality they possess; I know them well, especially Alex (Isak),\" the defender said. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"In the first half, right up until the water break, we were doing very well. After that, they changed their system and let Alex play freely, drifting and cutting in from the left. We struggled a bit with that, because he was always unmarked. In the second half, we changed that, of course, and went back to playing very well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think we were outstanding for most of the match. We were very solid defensively, strong going forward, and scored five brilliant goals\u2026 Now we\u2019re on to the next one. It wasn\u2019t just them. Of course, we\u2019re well aware of the quality they possess; I know them well, especially Alex (Isak),\" the defender said. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Netherlands face Tunisia in Kansas City on June 26 in their final Group F match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n