Unbeaten since 2006: Netherlands set FIFA World Cup record with 14th straight game without loss, thrash Sweden 5-1

Under pressure after an opening-game draw, the Netherlands responded with a 5-1 win over Sweden in the FIFA World Cup on Saturday to move to the top of Group F.Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scored two goals each as the Dutch side secured its first win of the tournament.

Brobbey struck twice in the first half to put the Netherlands in control before Gakpo added a brace to seal the result.The Netherlands had opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Japan and needed a win to strengthen their position in the group.

The victory took them to four points, putting them ahead of Sweden, who remain on three points.

Japan and Tunisia were scheduled to face each other later on Saturday.The result also saw the Netherlands set a record for the most consecutive World Cup matches without defeat, extending the run to 14 games.

Although they were eliminated by Argentina in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, that match is officially recorded as a draw because the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout.The Dutch team's last outright World Cup defeat in regulation time came against Portugal in the round of 16 in Nuremberg in 2006.The Netherlands also extended another record, remaining unbeaten in 18 consecutive World Cup group-stage matches.

Their last group-stage loss came against Belgium in 1994.

However, the Dutch did not qualify for the 2002 and 2018 editions of the tournament.The five-goal display also helped the Netherlands reach another milestone.

They became only the eighth team to score 100 goals in FIFA World Cup history, joining Argentina, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, England and Spain.The Netherlands will conclude their Group F campaign against Tunisia in Kansas City on Thursday, while Sweden will take on Japan at Dallas Stadium on the same day.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates.

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