Memphis Depay scored the lead for “Oranje” in the tenth minute, which Daley Blind extended just before the break (45+1). Dumfries, who set up the first two goals with passes into the backcourt, scored the final score in the 81st minute. Substitute Haji Wright only managed to score the interim goal for the US team (76′). But this was not enough to reach a World Cup quarterfinals for the second time after 2002.
Although the US team once again put in a dedicated performance, in the end the “Elftal” showed the difference between a title contender and a talented but not yet mature national team with a calm performance. While the Dutch can continue to dream of their fourth place in a World Cup final after 1974, 1978 and 2010, the Americans, as co-organisers, have their next chance to succeed at a World Cup in 2026.
Netherlands advance to the quarterfinals
“Oranje” beat the USA 3-1 (2-0) at the Khalifa International Stadium in al-Rajjan. Denzel Dumfries was named man of the match with two assists and a goal.
USA start in forward gear
Louis van Gaal relied on the same starting eleven as in the 2-0 win against Qatar in the last group game. Thus Depay stormed again next to the World Cup discovery Cody Gakpo. With the US team, Christian Pulisic got fit in time. The Chelsea legionnaire was in the starting line-up despite suffering a bruised pelvis in the winning goal against Iran. Up front, coach Gregg Berhalter surprisingly called on Jesus Ferreira. In terms of formation, both teams were offensively aligned with 4-3-3 (USA) and 3-4-1-2 (Netherlands).
And the USA were not only on paper, but also on the pitch forward from the start and had a huge chance to take the lead in the third minute. After Blind canceled the offside, Pulisic got the ball completely free after a pass from Tyler Admas. But “Oranje” goalie Andries Noppert prevented the goal with a foot defense.
Goal with first Dutch action
The first successful or actually the first action ever by the Dutchman in the game then immediately led to the opening goal, with the US team also offering too many spaces. Gakpo unchallenged passed Dumfries on the right flank. The Inter player played in the backcourt, where Depay was forgotten. The striker didn’t let this chance pass him by and confidently scored his 44th international goal in the tenth minute. For the first time at this World Cup, the USA were confronted with a deficit.
The Dutch then withdrew a long way when the US team had possession and were completely in tactical mode. The outsider almost always had the ball, but Pulisic and Co. did not like the role of playmaker. Combinations through the Dutch defensive wall rarely succeed. Only in the 43rd minute did the Americans score their second shot on goal. Timothy Weah took aim from a distance with great shooting technique, but Noppert was on the post.
Dutch as champions of efficiency
It was still a surprise, however, because the Dutch managed to score the second goal out of nowhere during a good phase for the US team, which was almost a copy of the opening goal. Once again it was Dumfries who passed a throw-in from the right into the backcourt. This time there was lonely and deserted Blind, who made it 2-0 with his third goal in his 98th international match (45+1). The Dutch went into the dressing room with a comfortable lead and masters of efficiency.
US team with too little pressure and momentum
At the break, the US team got Giovanni Reyna instead of the inconspicuous Ferreira. Teun Koopmeiners and Steven Bergwijn played for the Dutch instead of Davy Klaasen and Marten de Roon. The starting position for the second half was clear: the Americans needed the goal as early as possible. And he almost succeeded. After a corner kick, Tim Ream kneed the ball towards the goal. There Gakpo saved from the line (49th). At the other end, US goalie Matt Turner prevented Walker Zimmerman from scoring an own goal (50′).
The Americans failed to generate the pressure and momentum needed to seriously shake Virgil van Dijk’s defense. The three-time vice world champion had everything under control and set offensive pinpricks. Turner turned a Depay shot over the bar (61′). Coach Berhalter brought in two fresh players for the final phase in ex-Salzburger Brenden Aaronson and Wright (67′).
Only short hope for US team
It was the final quarter of an hour, in which the US boys once again put everything on one card. Wright intercepted a risky back pass from Depay. However, the Antalyaspor striker had a bad first contact with the ball, had to shoot from a tight angle and failed (75′). Shortly thereafter, however, there was hope, because the goal was successful. Wright deflected a sharp cross from Pulisic with his instep. The ball went in a high arc over Noppert, who was 2.03 m tall but had no chance in this situation and into the goal (76th).
The US fans woke up in the grandstand and got in the mood again. Another defensive error then finally destroyed the chance of entering the quarter-finals. Dumfries was completely alone in the penalty area. Blind served his waving teammate with a precise cross. Dumfries completed the volley to make it 3-1 (81st). It was the final knockout for the US team.
Comments on the game:
Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands goalscorer): “Overall, I’m very satisfied. We believe in ourselves, we have a strong team, great players, strong players. Thank you for becoming a player of the game. It’s very important for the team, it’s a big win for us and good for the future. Concentration was the secret to success. We were strong and played a very good game. I think we can play even better.”
Gregg Berhalter (US coach): “Something really grew together. I’m really very proud of this team, even if I’m obviously a bit disappointed now. We have evolved. It’s remarkable how the team helps each other. That’s very nice to watch. The boys played it great. It was hard fought, we were close. The guys did everything they could.”
FIFA World Cup 2022, Round of 16
Saturday:
Netherlands – USA 3: 1 (2: 0)
Al-Rajjan, Khalifa International Stadium, 44,846 spectators, SR Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
Torfolge:
1:0 Depay (10.)
2:0 Blind (45.+1)
2:1 Wright (76.)
3:1 Dumfries (81.)
Netherlands: Noppert – Timber, Van Dijk, Ake (93./De Ligt) – Dumfries, F. de Jong, Blind, De Roon (46./Bergwijn) – Klaassen (46./Koopmeiners) – Gakpo (93./Weghorst), Depay (83./Simons)
USA: Turner – Dest (75./Yedlin), Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson (92./Morris) – McKennie (67./Wright), Adams, Musah – Weah (67./Aaronson), Ferreira (46./Reyna), Pulisic
Yellow cards: Koopmeiners, F. de Jong
The best: Dumfries, Gakpo, Depay and Weah, Pulisic
