Ronald Koeman's Netherlands side earned a statement 5-1 win over Sweden in Houston, Texas, to earn their first win of the tournament.
A win for Graham Potter's Sweden would have effectively sealed their spot in the knockout rounds, but the Netherlands' victory now gives them control of their own fate going into their final group match against Tunisia.
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Usually a nation known for its attacking talent, this version of the Netherlands is packed with stars in defence, while Sweden had Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres up top.
The Netherlands appeared short of ideas at times during their 2-2 draw with Japan on Sunday, but were within minutes of a World Cup-opening victory until Daichi Kamada's 89th-minute equaliser.
Sweden, meanwhile, kicked off their tournament in style with a 5-1 win over a poor Tunisia side, but have become the first team in World Cup history to win their first game of the tournament by four goals and then lose their second by the same margin.
Group F, with the Netherlands, Sweden and Japan, appears to be one of the most tightly-contested in the tournament.
With Japan well-fancied to beat Tunisia in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time, the Netherlands' win over Sweden in Houston could prove pivotal.