DOHA: Dominant Netherlands thrashed the United States of America (USA) 3-1 on Saturday to make it to the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.
Group A winners Netherlands displayed their domination over Group B runners-up USA as they handed the latter a thrashing 3-1 defeat that ended Gregg Berhalter’s side’s world cup dreams.
Memphis Depay opened the scoring for the Dutch just 10 minutes into the game when he received the ball from Denzel Dumfries at the edge of the USA box before burying it into the bottom-left corner.
Dumfries then again invaded the USA’s defence, moments before the conclusion of the first half before cutting the ball back to Daley Blind who slotted the ball into the bottom corner to double the Netherlands’ lead before heading into the break.
The start of the second half followed the same procedure as the USA enjoyed more possession but to no avail as the Dutch defence spoiled their chances most of the time.
Midway through the second half, Berhalter substituted Haji Wright for Weston McKennie, and the substitution sparked a comeback.
Pulisic’s cutback from the byline looped up off for Wright and spun over Andries Noppert and into the net to cut the Netherlands’ lead to 2-1.
The USA’s comeback, however, was short-lived as a third Dutch attack threw the USA’s defence off guard. Blind calmly passed to an unmarked Dumfries at the far post, who smoothly made it 3-1 for the Netherlands.
Following their triumph in the Round of 16, Louis van Gaal’s side will either take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina or Australia in the quarter-final on Saturday.
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