Netherlands dominate USA in first knock-out World Cup match
A clinical Netherlands ended the United States’ World Cup dream on Saturday, sweeping into the quarter-finals with a ruthless 3-1 victory. Netherlands became the first team to book a place in the quarter-finals of Qatar World Cup 2022 after beating the USA at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday. The Netherlands, bidding to win their first World Cup after losing in three previous finals, will face Argentina or Australia in the last eight.
Goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind gave the Netherlands a 2-0 halftime lead. Haji Wright pulled one back for the US but Denzel Dumfries put the final nail in the coffin with a brilliant third goal to finish the job and put the Dutch on course for a quarter-final clash with Argentina or Australia.
Denzel Dumfries assisted twice as the Dutch put in a total masterclass throughout 90 minutes. Memphis Depay scored in the 10th-minute to give them a 1-0 lead, with Daley Blind (45+1′) making it 2-0 at the cusp of half-time. Substitute Haji Wright gave USA some hope with a goal in the 76th-minute, with Christian Pulisic assisting him. But it was shortlived as Dumfries then turned into a goalscorer, volleying a Blind cross to make it 3-1 for the Dutch in the 81st-minute.
Netherlands into World Cup quarter-finals as USA downed
Although the USA enjoyed long periods of possession in a bright first-half display, all too often a lack of composure in the final third let them down.
Instead, it was the Dutch who calmly bided their time before carving open the USA defence with forensic precision.
USA forward Christian Pulisic squandered a golden chance to put his team 1-0 up after only three minutes when he found himself in space only to see a scuffed shot saved.But the Netherlands grew into the game, with Memphis Depay and Daley Blind finding the net after being both assisted by Denzel Dumfries in the 10th and the first minute of first-half added time, respectively.Cody Gakpo cleared Tim Ream’s header off the line early in the second half to keep the Netherlands’ advantage safe, but the men in orange wasted chances to put the game to bed.
Second-half substitute Haji Wright cut the US deficit to 2-1 in the 76th minute when Pulisic’s cross hit his trailing foot and popped over Noppert and into the net.But Dumfries restored a two-goal lead for the Netherlands in the 81st minute – this time Blind provided the assist.
Runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010, the Oranje extended their unbeaten streak to 19 games and will face next the winner of Saturday’s evening clash between Argentina and Australia.
Teams:
NETHERLANDS XI: Noppert; Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk, Aké, Blind; De Roon, De Jong; Klaassen; Gakpo, Depay.
USA XI: Turner; Robinson, Ream, Zimmerman, Dest; Musah, Adams, McKennie; Pulisic, Ferreira, Weah.
For More Details: FIFA World Cup 2022