Brobbey brace: Netherlands lead at the break

The first half of the Group F match between the Netherlands and Sweden ended with the Netherlands 2-0 up. At the NRG Stadium in Houston, the difference was made by Brian Brobbey, a surprise return to the starting XI.

The Netherlands started fast and went ahead with two goals early in the half. Brobbey first met a cross from the left inside the box and finished calmly to open the scoring. Shortly after, the Sunderland striker was in the right place as a cross from the right deflected into his path, and he found the net again from close range: 2-0. Two crosses, two goals; Ronald Koeman's call to start Brobbey paid off early.

Sweden, who had topped the group after a 5-1 win over Tunisia, were rocked by the quick start. The Scandinavians regrouped and went in search of a goal, threatening once or twice further forward, but could not break down the Dutch defence and change the scoreline. The first 45 minutes closed 2-0 to the Netherlands on Brobbey's double.

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