Netherlands await as Sweden chase World Cup knockout spot

Netherlands await as Sweden chase the knockout rounds

Saturday night in Guadalajara. Netherlands vs Sweden, Group F matchday two, and a win would put Graham Potter's side within touching distance of the round of 16 (1) (2) (5) (6).

Kickoff is 19:00 CEST (1).

Sweden arrive on the back of that 5–1 demolition of Tunisia in Monterrey. Isak and Gyokeres ran riot. The frontline works. Potter said the partnership will only get stronger as the tournament progresses. Defensive questions linger, Lindelöf acknowledged them despite the scoreline, but your team has gone from written off to explosive in 90 minutes.

The Dutch are a different proposition entirely. van Dijk, de Jong, Memphis, Timber, this is a squad built to go deep (5) (6). Ronald Koeman's side will test that Swedish backline in ways Tunisia could not.

Gakpo: "I lead the prayer"

Cody Gakpo told the Dutch press he will lead the team prayer before facing Sweden. "Jag håller i bönen. Det är så jag fick mitt smeknamn," he said, that is where his nickname comes from (4).

Évelyne Viens signs for Paris FC

Away from the World Cup: former Kristianstads DFF striker Évelyne Viens has joined Paris FC from Roma (3). The Canadian international lit up Damallsvenskan before her move to Italy, now she lands in the French capital.