Netherlands 5-1 Sweden: How the most tactically interesting game of the World Cup unfolded

Netherlands’ 5-1 thrashing of Sweden in Houston was the most tactically interesting contest of the World Cup so far; a perfect demonstration of how formations and shapes can dictate the flow of matches.

Sweden’s strike partnership of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres worked effectively in their win over Tunisia — also a 5-1 scoreline — including assisting one another for goals. But in truth, they’ve rarely looked like an effective partnership for Sweden over the years. Although at times they combine well, it’s rare to see top-level international sides use two proper No 9s together, for good reason — the other eight outfielders are invariably overrun. Saturday’s game was a prime example.

Graham Potter continued with his 5-3-2 system against a Netherlands side that boasted tremendous speed down the flanks, and Sweden were completely dismantled in the early stages.

Sweden had three main problems. The first was that they couldn’t deal with the physical presence of Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey, who replaced winger Crysencio Summerville in the only change to the Dutch side from their 2-2 draw with Japan. With Sweden man-marking in midfield, the Netherlands played long balls up to Brobbey, who is hugely effective with his back to goal. Sweden were simply unable to deal with his power.

The second problem was that Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders were hugely effective at receiving the ball on the turn, drifting past Sweden’s marking with ease. Here, Gravenberch turns past two Sweden players into space between the lines…

… while in this instance, Reijnders turns past pressure before shooting.

But the third problem was the biggest: the numbers game out wide.

Micky van de Ven and Denzel Dumfries didn’t look to run behind the wingers ahead of them — they knew that they would go unmarked in possession, and therefore remained deep and were almost the Netherlands’ chief playmakers. They were always the out-balls, no one really came forward to close them down, and the Dutch dominated possession comfortably. This was a direct result of Sweden’s 5-3-2.

Sweden’s hope was that, by keeping two strikers high up, they could isolate the Dutch centre-backs and attack quickly into space. Goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt hit long balls downfield, but Virgil van Dijk and new Spurs signing Jan Paul van Hecke coped easily.

The Netherlands went ahead with two goals that owed to their approach. The first came from a long ball up to Brobbey, who controlled the ball excellently and darted into the box to tap home from a low Cody Gakpo cross.

The second was even more instructive. Donyell Malen dropped off to leave Gabriel Gudmundsson positionally unsure, as the Netherlands worked the ball over to the near side. Dumfries, eternally free down the right, was released to feed a low ball in behind the opposition defence for Brobbey’s second.

But then came a hydration break. And, amid lots of discussion about the impact of these three-minute breaks midway through each half, there has surely been no bigger momentum shift at this tournament.

Potter took the opportunity to reformat completely, moving Isak to the left and switching to a 4-5-1. This completely changed the game. Not only did it block the Dutch route to goal, but it also prompted Sweden to start playing good football.

Their first move of the game, interestingly, came from the Dutch reacting to the change of shape. Now the Netherlands centre-backs were only playing against one striker, Van Hecke responded by stepping forward into midfield, something he couldn’t have done if he were still marking Isak — who was now the responsibility of Dumfries.

But Van Hecke lost the ball to former Brighton team-mate Yasin Ayari, Sweden launched a superb counter-attack, and Ayari should probably have headed Gyokeres’ cross towards goal rather than attempting to bring it down.

Gyokeres and Ayari had further chances before half-time. It was a completely different game; the Netherlands had ‘won’ 4-1 on shots before the hydration break, whereas between the break and half-time, it was 8-1 to Sweden, albeit without any change to the scoreline.

Dutch coach Ronald Koeman slightly rejigged things at half-time, bringing on Summerville, a natural winger, for Malen, more of a forward. This was because Koeman wanted his wide players to defend deeper, in a 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 rather than a 4-3-3. This seemed to give the defence added protection, and the Dutch had another good burst at the start of the second half.

They went 3-0 up with another low cross from Dumfries. While Isak was theoretically marking him, a natural centre-forward was unlikely to be the most diligent defensive player. Dumfries gambled by pushing past him, and crossing low for Gakpo to turn home. Gakpo then cut inside and smashed home the Netherlands’ fourth goal.

Just like in the first half, Sweden conceded two goals, made a change — bringing on Anthony Elanga down the right — and then improved. Elanga got Sweden on the scoresheet after running in behind, but Summerville came off the bench to make it 5-1.

It remains to be seen what system Sweden go with next time. Clearly, they looked much better after switching to a back four, but since their final group opponents Japan play a back three with wing-backs themselves, Potter might look to persevere with the three-man defence and match Japan’s system.

Either way, this was a good demonstration of the importance of systems — and of the mid-half hydration breaks.