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Last Updated:June 21, 2026, 02:53 IST
Sweden's previous defeat by a margin of three or more goals in a FIFA World Cup match came against Brazil in the final of 1950 edition.
Sweden lose a FIFA World Cup match by 3-plus goals after 68 years. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Sweden faced the Netherlands in their second Group F match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday (June 20) and suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat. The Swedes, who began their campaign in this year’s World Cup with a 5-1 win over Tunisia at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe on June 14, could only manage one goal while conceding five.
Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey scored twice in the first half for the Netherlands, while Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo also netted a brace after the break. Former Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Sweden in the 59th minute, but the joy was short-lived as Crysencio Summerville scored his second goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the 89th minute to seal a 5-1 victory for the Dutch side over the 2010 FIFA World Cup runners-up.
The defeat against the Netherlands in Houston was a forgettable one for Sweden, as they lost a FIFA World Cup match by three or more goals for the first time in 68 years.
1958 – With their 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands, Sweden lost a FIFA World Cup match by three or more goals for the first time since their 5-2 loss to Brazil in the 1958 final.Undone. pic.twitter.com/tsqHFIJbad
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 20, 2026
Sweden’s previous defeat by a margin of three or more goals in a FIFA World Cup match came against Brazil in the final of the 1958 edition. In that match, played at Rasunda Stadium in Solna on June 29, 1958, they suffered a 5-2 defeat.
Sweden’s biggest defeat in FIFA World Cup history remains their 7-1 loss to Brazil in a 1950 World Cup match played at Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on July 9, 1950.
Biggest defeats for Sweden in FIFA World Cup
| AGAINST | SCORELINE | VENUE | DATE |
| Brazil | 1-7 | Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro | July 9, 1950 (Final round) |
| Hungary | 1-5 | Parc des Princes, Paris | June 16, 1938 (Semifinal) |
| Netherlands | 1-5 | NRG Stadium, Houston | June 20, 2026 (Group F match) |
| Brazil | 2-5 | Rasunda Stadium, Solna | June 29, 1958 (Final) |
| Brazil | 2-4 | Parc Lescure, Bordeaux | June 19, 1938 (Third-place match) |
| West Germany | 2-4 | Rheinstadion, Dusseldorf | June 30, 1974 (Group B) |
| Germany | 0-2 | Allianz Arena, Munich | June 24, 2006 (Round of 16) |
| England | 0-2 | Cosmos Arena, Samara | July 7, 2018 (Quarterfinal) |
Since their 1958 World Cup final defeat to Brazil, Sweden’s only other loss by three or more goals in the tournament came against West Germany in 1974. They were beaten 4-2 in the Group B fixture played at Rheinstadion in Dusseldorf on June 30, 1974.
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About the Author
Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor
Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist with CNN-News18 since July 1, 2024, and covers cricket with a sharp eye for records, trends, and match analysis. Based in Noida, he has reported extensively on the...Read More
News sports football First Time In 68 Years! Sweden Lose A FIFA World Cup Match By 3 Or More Goals
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