Sweden may no longer have Zlatan Ibrahimovic but their new strike force of Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak has already upstaged the living legend at the World Cup.
Gyökeres and Isak scored once each as Sweden started the tournament with an impressive 5-1 demolition of Tunisia and they will be aiming for more on Saturday against the Netherlands.
Ibrahimovic, by contrast, never managed a World Cup goal at his two tournaments, despite all his magic.
"They are great individual players but together they can create a real threat," Sweden coach Graham Potter said of his duo.
The Dutch were held 2-2 in their opener against Japan, and captain Virgil van Dijk has acknowledged that "it will be a difficult game" against the Swedes.
The defender knows as Isak is his team-mate at Liverpool and Gyökeres at Arsenal who dethroned Liverpool as Premier League champions and reached the Champions .
"I will play against a forward I know very well and against another striker who has played a very good season," Van Dijk said.
Liverpool and Arsenal paid a combined €210 million ($241 million) for the duo and Isak seems to have found his form in time for World Cup after a difficult first season at Anfield which also included injury setbacks.
The match appears perfect because the two have different styles.
Gyökeres plays with power and determination, he iss always available for a pass and has a strong presence. Isak plays with more elegance and likes to bide his time, waiting for the decisive moment when he can strike with his outstanding technique.
“I think they have different styles, which I believe is good for us,” Potter said. “The task is to make the most of their attributes and qualities in the way that suits us best.”
