Luckassen and Brobbey make history as brothers score for different nations at World Cup

— Derrick Luckassen experienced a rollercoaster of emotions on Saturday night, scoring on his World Cup debut for Ghana but ultimately left disappointed as his team fell 2-1 to Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field.

The 30-year-old defender, who was handed his first World Cup start after Jerome Opoku was rested as a precaution, headed home in the 73rd minute to bring Ghana level against the 2018 runners-up. The goal came from Ghana’s first shot on target after Ernest Nuamah sent an inswinging free-kick over Croatia’s back line. The strike was initially ruled offside but was awarded following a VAR review.

The joy, however, was short-lived. Nikola Vlasic headed in Luka Modric’s 83rd-minute corner to restore Croatia’s lead and secure a 2-1 victory. Croatia finished second in Group L with six points, while Ghana — who had already secured qualification before kick-off — ended third with four points.

“Nice feeling [for scoring], but I am a bit disappointed about the loss,” Luckassen said after the match. “I think in the first half, we had the ball, but we didn’t do a lot; we were just playing around, but in the second half, we pressed forward, and we tried to put the balls in and it was much better, in my opinion”.

A family affair on the biggest stage

While Luckassen was making his mark for Ghana, his brother Brian Brobbey was delivering for the Netherlands. The 24-year-old Sunderland striker has scored three goals in the tournament so far — two against Sweden and one against Tunisia — making him the Dutch side’s top scorer.

The brothers, both born in Amsterdam to a Ghanaian father, have taken different international paths. Luckassen, who represented the Netherlands at various youth levels, accepted his first senior call-up from Ghana in March 2026. Brobbey, meanwhile, committed to the Oranje and has established himself as one of the country’s leading attacking options.

Their goals have placed them in the record books. According to Flashscore, Brobbey and Luckassen have become the fifth set of brothers to score in the World Cup, and the first on record to do so for two different countries. They join illustrious company that includes West Germany’s Ottmar and Fritz Walter (1954), the Netherlands’ Willy and Rene van de Kerkhof (1978), and Denmark’s Michael and Brian Laudrup (1998).

Despite the defeat, Ghana’s World Cup journey continues. The Black Stars will face the winner of Group K — either Portugal or Colombia — in the round of 32. The Netherlands, as winners of Group F, will meet Morocco in the knockout stage.

For the Luckassen-Brobbey family, it has been a tournament to remember — two brothers, two nations, one unforgettable moment in World Cup history.