World Cup: Netherlands knock USA out 3-1, book quarter final slot

0
Netherlands Denzel Dumfries celebrates his third goal REUTERS

The Netherlands have knocked out USA with a 3-1 defeat and have booked a quarter-final slot. in the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Netherlands survived a late scare against the United States to move into the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals with a ruthless display of finishing.

The US had the game’s biggest early chance when Christian Pulisic was denied by the legs of Dutch goalkeeper, Andries Noppert, and the failure to take that opportunity proved highly expensive.

Louis van Gaal’s side responded in the finest Dutch traditions in the 10th minute when Memphis Depay crowned a magnificent 21-pass move by turning in Denzel Dumfries’ cross.

The US battled hard but lacked a cutting edge and were punished once more in similar fashion with the final kick of the first half when Daley Blind arrived with perfect timing on the end of another Dumfries cut back.

The Dutch were given anxious moments when the US pulled a goal back in the 76th minute as Haji Wright’s freak deflection from Pulisic’s cross looped in at the far post.

But they restored their two-lead five minutes later when creator Dumfries turned scorer, side-footing in a volley at the far post from Blind’s cross.

Berhalter: We poured everything into it; we’re bitterly disappointed

USA boss Gregg Berhalter to the BBC: “It is a difficult one to handle, such a good group of guys, such a close group of guys, and we came up short today, but not for the lack of trying or lack of effort. The guys poured everything they had into this game and unfortunately we lost it.

“When you think about this group and how they have come together over the last three and a half years, it is really special to see and you do not often get a bond like that between the team-mates, staff and everyone.

“So I’m really proud of this group, but bitterly disappointed with the result today.”

 

 

Exit mobile version