The Netherlands defeated bravely fighting Americans 3-1 (2-0) in the first round of 16 on Saturday afternoon.
With goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind – both before the break – and Denzel Dumfries late in the game, the Oranjes advanced to the quarter-finals in front of a crowd of 44,846 at Al Rayyan’s Khalifa International Stadium. Haji Wright scored for the US boys in the second half.
The Netherlands, in the same line-up as in the previous group game against Qatar, started the game but the Americans initially took the lead. Already in the third minute, Christian Pulisic, who was in doubt after a bruised pelvis, had his first big chance on the left, but Andries Noppert in the Oranje goal was able to clear it. In the 9th minute, Elftal showed up for the first time on the offensive, a minute later they were already celebrating. Cody Gakpo served Dumfries on the right flank. The Dutch attackers pulled the US defense to the baseline, Dumfries found Depay at the back, who shot low into the left corner.
It was as if the Oranjes had pulled the plug on their opponent. The Americans managed to get as far as the Dutchman’s penalty area, but that was where the dense defense, well organized by Virgil van Dijk, ended. The “Stars and Stripes” hardly posed any danger until shortly before the break. The Dutch initially managed. Only in the 43rd did it get exciting again. Noppert cleared a sharp shot from Timothy Weah from the inside right into the near corner.
In the stoppage time of the first half, the Dutch delivered the copy of the 1-0. This time Blind was the recipient of Dumfries’ pass, sinking back into the bottom left corner in the first minute of added time. As with the first goal, Matt Turner was powerless in the US boys’ goal. The first half was a demonstration of effectiveness in orange.
The United States came out of the dressing room with renewed vigor and Giovanni Reyna for Jesus Ferreira. The Oranjes had the first chance, however, when substitute Steven Bergwijn missed Depay’s pass. In the 49th minute Weston McKennie headed a corner into the five where Tim Ream failed to get the ball right. A minute later it was the Dutch again: Bergwijn passed the five, Walker Zimmerman got his goalkeeper into trouble when trying to save, but Turner was correct.
When the game threatened to fall asleep and Elftal was actually closer to scoring the third goal, the US boys still scored. Haji Wright caught a cross from Pulisic with his heel, but with luck the ball landed over Noppert and into the Dutchman’s goal. The Americans drew new courage, wild attacks followed. The best chance was missed by Wright who, after a through pass, went for the goal alone, but Noppert saved. Shortly thereafter, Pulisic tested the Dutch keeper with a long-range shot.
On the other side, the outstanding Dumfries made the final decision after his two assists in the 81st minute: completely unprotected, he sank Blind’s cross into the left corner on the second post.
The Dutch are now waiting for the winner of the second round of 16 on Saturday evening between Argentina and Australia, the quarter-finals will take place next Friday. The young American team will definitely be there again in four years: As the organizers of the World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the USA, they are automatically qualified.
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Source: Nachrichten
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
