Luke Littler and Luke Humphries delivered a masterclass performance to secure England’s sixth BetVictor World Cup of Darts title, triumphing 10-5 over the Netherlands in a dominant display.
The formidable pairing had faced scrutiny following a shock last-16 exit in the team event just 12 months prior. However, they emphatically banished those doubts, living up to their billing as heavy favourites to lift the trophy in Frankfurt.
After an initial exchange of blows between the top seeds, England seized control, reeling off five consecutive legs either side of the first interval to establish a commanding 6-2 lead, a position from which they never looked back.
Maintaining total control throughout, the English duo continued to hold their throw with ease. Humphries sealed the emphatic victory in style, pinning double 20 with a 12-darter, sparking joyous celebrations from Littler, who claimed his maiden World Cup success.
England saved their finest performance of the week for the final, boasting an impressive pair’s average of 104.77 and each rattling off four maximums in the showpiece. The Dutch, in contrast, managed only 10 attempts at doubles throughout the contest, despite Michael van Gerwen’s bright start with a 113 checkout.
The English pair levelled quickly before Littler secured the first break with a crucial double 10 to lead at the interval. Humphries then extended the advantage, finishing 84 for a 4-2 lead before adding a second successive break with an 87 checkout. Littler then checked 48 to complete the five-leg surge.
Van Gerwen briefly stemmed the tide for the Netherlands with a double 18, and the two sides traded the next four legs on throw. A tense 14th leg saw Gian van Veen miss a golden opportunity for a Dutch break, followed by Littler missing three darts. Van Gerwen then bust on double four, hitting double 18, before Humphries eventually found double tops to secure a 9-5 lead.
Littler opened the 15th leg with a maximum 180, and Humphries closed out the emphatic victory with a 41 checkout on his second match dart. Littler, who averaged 108.22 in the final, has now won each of the PDC’s four televised events, while Humphries lifts the World Cup for the second time, having previously won with Michael Smith in 2024.
