Gakpo, Brobbey 'proud' to emulate Robben and Van Persie

On 13 June 2014, Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador witnessed one of the Netherlands’ most memorable victories at a FIFA World Cup™. In a repeat of the final of the previous edition, the Oranje swept aside reigning champions Spain 5-1, inspired by magnificent performances and stunning goals from Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie.

The pair became the first Dutch duo to score twice each in the same World Cup match. They held that distinction alone for 12 years and seven days until Saturday, when Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo matched the feat in another 5-1 win for the Netherlands. This time, it was Sweden on the receiving end.

“I didn’t know that, but I’m very proud,” Brobbey told FIFA. “Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben are legends in the Netherlands. To be mentioned alongside them is something that makes both me and the team proud.”

The striker, who was the only change to the Dutch starting line-up from their opening match, scored twice in the first 17 minutes to set his side on their way to victory.

“It’s incredible to make an immediate impact. The team played really well too, so it’s a good feeling.”

After the break, it was Gakpo’s turn to get in on the action. Having already provided an assist for one of Brobbey’s goals, the Liverpool forward struck twice in the space of nine minutes to put the result beyond any doubt and write his name into the record books.

“It’s a good list to be part of,” he joked. “Robben and Van Persie, and now Brian and me today. It’s definitely something to be proud of.”

Gakpo was 15 years old during Brazil 2014 and remembers watching that famous victory from home.

“It was a very tense game to watch on TV because we had lost the 2010 final to Spain. So facing them in the opening match of 2014… Everyone hoped we would win, but we knew how strong Spain were.

“I think they scored from a penalty early on, but after Van Persie’s header, everything changed for the team and for the country. We played brilliantly. I remember every goal from that match.”

Gakpo’s memory serves him well. Now, however, he is the one creating memories for a new generation of Dutch supporters. His display against Sweden saw him open his account at this tournament and take his overall World Cup tally to five goals in seven appearances, having scored three times in Qatar in 2022.

Asked about the secret behind his impressive record on football’s biggest stage, the forward preferred to share the credit with his team-mates, even if much of the spotlight naturally falls on him.

“The lights shine very brightly on this stage,” he said with a smile. “I’m very happy to score again today and get two goals. But overall, it’s a collective performance. The team helped me a lot to get into positions to score and even to provide an assist. In the end, we do everything together. It was a good first step.”

Back in 2014, that ‘first step’ carried Robben and Van Persie all the way to a campaign that ended with a third-place finish. Could Gakpo, Brobbey and their team-mates be about to follow a similar path?