Royals congratulate Oranje as Netherlands strengthens World Cup position after 5-1 win
After the Netherlands’ strong 5-1 victory over Sweden in Houston, celebrations erupted across the country, with fans gathering in cafés, on the streets, and at roundabouts late into the night. The win moved the Netherlands to the top of Group F, with Japan meeting Tunisia in their second round match at 6 a.m. Sunday. Oranje are to face Tunisia in the final group game next Friday.
King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and Princess Ariane were in the United States for the Netherlands’ match against Sweden in Houston and a second World Cup match in Kansas City between Curaçao and Ecuador. Speaking after the Oranje game, the king told Dutch media, “The match was not always good for my heart. I looked for a defibrillator a couple of times. But I can only say I enjoyed it. It was wonderful to support the Netherlands at such a special moment.”
Following the victory, the royal family personally congratulated the players and staff in the Dutch dressing room. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen said the king told him he had enjoyed the match. “The royal family came in,” Verbruggen told Dutch media. “I took a photo with Willem-Alexander. The king said I played well and that he enjoyed the match.”
After the Oranje match, the royal delegation travelled to Kansas City, where they attended Curaçao’s World Cup match against Ecuador alongside Minister for Sport Mirjam Sterk. Curaçao secured a 0-0 draw, earning what was described as a historic first point in the World Cup.
In multiple cities, including Enschede and Vroomshoop, groups of supporters came together in large numbers, waving flags, sounding car horns, and setting off fireworks well into the night. Some gatherings temporarily disrupted traffic as crowds took over roundabouts, but the atmosphere remained festive and largely orderly, according to local reports.
In Zeist, Café Bommel was filled with fans who watched the match together as the scoreline widened, while celebrations later spilt into the streets.
The Athletic, the sports section of The New York Times, wrote that the Netherlands had been among the European heavyweights that failed to win their opening match but now viewed Oranje as a title contender—“provided they can maintain this level."
In Amsterdam, Curaçaose Amsterdammers stayed up through the night to watch Curaçao’s 0-0 draw against Ecuador, a result that secured the island’s first-ever World Cup point. The match, though played in the early hours, drew crowds to viewing parties across the city. Supporters reacted with loud celebrations as Eloy Room produced a record 15 saves to keep Ecuador out, AT5 reported. Many fans described the result as historic for Curaçao, which had entered the match after a 7-1 loss to Germany.
