A 3-1 VICTORY FOR THE NETHERLANDS AGAINST THE USA, ADVANCES THEM TO THE QUARTERFINALS
A 3-1 VICTORY FOR THE NETHERLANDS AGAINST THE USA, ADVANCES THEM TO THE QUARTERFINALS
A Trio Of Goals From Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, And Denzel Dumfries Proved Too Much For The Americans In The Last 16
By Rashmi Goel
In the last-16 tie between the Netherlands and the USA, Denzel Dumfries played a key role as the Netherlands beat the USA 3-1 and booked their place in the quarter-finals. The Dutch scored in the first half via Memphis Depay (8) and Daley Blind (45) both swept in a similar manner from Dumfries crosses. However, the USA forced both the Inter Milan defender and Cody Gakpo to clear off the line in an attempt to set up a dramatic finish with Haji Wright's "impossible" finish in the 76th minute. Despite this, Dumfries' standout performer ended their hopes of a dramatic turnaround in the 83rd minute by volleying in Blind's cross.
As Pulisic recovered from injury, the USA had some hope, but he wasted a good opening by shooting at Andries Noppert when clear through three minutes into the match. After absorbing a significant amount of pressure during the first half, the Netherlands repeatedly threatened to counterattack - a tactical strategy that proved to be effective for Dutch manager Louis van Gaal, who lost to Argentina in 2014 on penalties during his only world cup appearance.
Despite dominating the game after the break, the USA ultimately ended up losing due to the chaos that surrounded the game. Their young team is expected to be able to take with them all the lessons they learned from Qatar into the 2026 World Cup when they will be co-hosts along with Spain. As the Netherlands advances to the quarterfinals for the fifth straight time, the country will now play against the winner of Argentina vs Australia at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Friday, December 9, at 7 p.m. This will be the Netherlands' fifth consecutive trip to the quarterfinals.
Upon blowing the whistle, the Netherlands conceded possession to the USA. In the early stages of the match, Pulisic was almost played in by Van Gaal's team and should have converted a one-on-one opportunity. However, the opening goal demonstrated the threat of Van Gaal's team as they accelerated up the pitch in possession. Against all odds, Dumfries' precise cutback for Depay culminated in an excellent team move consisting of 20 passes. The Netherlands posed the greatest threat, apart from inviting the US on for the remainder of the half, as their opponents had difficulty picking passes through the defensive lines. It was in the course of quick counterattacks which exposed the lack of pace at the heart of the American defense that Blind shot over and Depay shot across the goal.
It took a great save from Noppert to stop a Yunus Musah strike until the underdogs began to build some momentum toward the end of the half. However, the underdogs suffered a hammer blow on the stroke of half-time as Blind converted a copy of Depay's opener from another Dumfries center. During the second half, the USA made a strong effort to get back into the game. A shot taken by Giovanni Reyna was cleared off the line by Gakpo, Pulisic hit the target, and Weston McKennie missed as they threw bodies forward - but at the other end, Turner was forced to make a sharp stop at his near post after Walker Zimmerman misplaced his clearance.
After Blind's shot from the edge of the box was parried by the USA keeper and Depay's follow-up was palmed away by the keeper, there was soon desperate defending at the other end when Dumfries scrambled away Wright's goal-bound shot after Bergwijn intercepted a back pass. Nonetheless, Wright scored just two minutes later, somehow scooping Pulisic's low cross over Noppert. As a grandstand finish ramped up, Depay and Pulisic saw chances come and go, but Dumfries ended USA's hopes of a dramatic turnaround. He played an important role in so many vital moments in the match and deserved to cap off the Netherlands' success.
