2026 FIFA World Cup — Group F, Matchday 2 | June 21 | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — Four years ago, Cody Gakpo was a surprise. A 23-year-old PSV Eindhoven winger who had never played outside the Netherlands, suddenly scoring three goals at a World Cup. The world asked: who is this kid?

Nobody asks that question anymore.

In the 23rd minute at Levi’s Stadium, Gakpo received the ball on the left. He did not hesitate. He did not look for a safe pass. He looked up, saw Denzel Dumfries charging into the box, and delivered a cross that was so perfectly weighted it seemed to have been guided by remote control. Dumfries did not even need to break stride. 1-0.

In the 56th minute, Gakpo decided to write his own headline. He picked up Frenkie de Jong’s pass outside the box, took one touch, and unleashed a low drive that Robin Olsen could only push into the corner of his own net. 2-0. Gakpo ran to the corner flag, arms spread wide, the orange of the Netherlands glowing under the San Francisco sun.

One goal. One assist. This was not the performance of a promising youngster. This was the performance of a leader.

The Making of a Star

Gakpo’s journey from Eindhoven to Liverpool to the heart of the Dutch national team is a story of steady, relentless growth. At PSV, he was a talented winger with an eye for goal. At Liverpool, under the demanding gaze of the Premier League, he became something more: a complete attacker who can play anywhere across the front line, who tracks back, who presses, who creates, who finishes.

He is not the loudest player in the Dutch dressing room. Van Dijk is the captain. De Jong is the orchestrator. But Gakpo is the player who makes things happen. When the Netherlands need a goal, they look to him. When they need a moment of quality, he delivers.

Sweden’s Fight

Sweden did not come to San Francisco to make up the numbers. They fought. Alexander Isak, their star striker, ran himself into the ground. Dejan Kulusevski probed and prodded on the right. Albin Ekdal covered every blade of grass in midfield.

Isak’s 78th-minute goal — a deflected strike that looped over the goalkeeper — gave Sweden hope. For 12 frantic minutes, they threw everything at the Dutch defence. But Van Dijk and De Ligt stood firm. The wall did not break.

Sweden now face Japan in their final group match. They need to win. They need Isak to be at his best. They need a miracle. But miracles, as the Dutch know, sometimes happen in football.

Group F Standings

Pos Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Netherlands 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3 6
2 Tunisia 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
3 Japan 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1
4 Sweden 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1

Match Details:

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