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Top European football leagues might soon adopt the concept of dividing matches into 'quarters', following the introduction of hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup.

That was the view expressed by Thomas Frank during half-time of the Netherlands versus Sweden clash, as BBC pundits debated the proposal – with Micah Richards firmly rejecting the idea.

“No: it slows the intensity down too much,” Richards argued. “I understand why you'd have it, but it disrupts the rhythm of play excessively. It completely changes the flow of the match. I’m not in favour of it.”

Frank, however, explained why he thought such a division of World Cup games could eventually become standard practice in other competitions.

“I prefer two halves,” the Danish coach stated. “That’s the format we know. But perhaps this World Cup could alter that. What drives football these days? Money. Maybe that’s the direction things are heading.”

“It’s been brilliant – the energy, the variety of passing, and the movement. I’d say, particularly, the Netherlands have been more direct, especially with that first goal. Then, yes, Sweden regained some control after the hydration break through Gyökeres and Isak,” noted Ellen White, analysing how the tempo shifted after the stoppage.

“They had players pushing forward and a few set-piece chances; they might feel frustrated not to have scored. But the Netherlands completely dominated that opening 20 minutes.”

The Netherlands started brightly against Sweden, with Brian Brobbey – replacing Crysencio Summerville after the opening fixture – finding the net within five minutes, sprinting onto a cross from the left wing. The strike marked the 100th goal under Ronald Koeman’s second tenure as the national team manager.

Sweden quickly sought a response, with Viktor Gyökeres testing Bart Verbruggen’s reflexes before Denzel Dumfries delivered a dangerous ball across the Swedish box that narrowly missed an orange shirt. Brobbey soon doubled his tally, tripling his international goal total in less than 20 minutes of tournament football, giving the Netherlands a 2-0 lead and securing their 100th goal at the World Cup.

Following the drinks break, Sweden began to assert themselves. Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari had their best opportunity, meeting a superb pass from Viktor Gyökeres but choosing to chest the ball rather than head it, miscontrolling and losing the chance. Moments later, the Arsenal forward struck on goal, only for Verbruggen to push it away.

The Dutch responded swiftly, with Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen both coming close to extending the lead.

Sweden thought they had pulled one back just before the interval when Gustaf Lagerbielke rose to head home from a set-piece, but referee Michael Oliver immediately ruled it out, prompting protests from Alexander Isak. Both Gyökeres and Ayari were again denied by Verbruggen in stoppage time – Gyökeres from a free-kick just outside the area, and Ayari from a powerful drive through the defence that the Dutch goalkeeper handled expertly.

The victory ensures the Netherlands advance to the next round of the tournament.