Netherlands World Cup Rout Reveals a Shocking Truth

A Record Night That Began With Nerves

Five minutes before kickoff in Dortmund, a small group of Dutch fans stood in a bar staring at the screen with quiet tension. No singing, no chanting, just that anxious silence supporters know too well. Sweden, they kept reminding each other, are no pushovers at a World Cup. A draw would be fine. A narrow win, perfect. No one in that bar quite dared to predict what was coming.

Ninety minutes later, after a 5 to 1 avalanche of orange waves, those same fans were tossing beer into the air and shouting one word over and over.

Statemen…