Denzel Dumfries scored one and assisted two to give the Netherlands a convincing 3-1 win over the US and book their ticket to the quarter finals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The match began with the US enjoying better of the possession but in the tenth minute, the Netherlands put a total of 20 passes together in the build up to Dumfries setting up Memphis Depay for the opener.
The 20 uninterrupted passes put together before that goal is the most by the Netherlands in a World Cup game in history, while the Goalscorer, Memphis Depay moves ahead of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the all-time list for most goals for the country with his 43rd strike.
The US were stunned but they couldn’t prevent a repetition towards the end of the first half as Dumfries again, sent another low cross into the box from the right and this time, Daley Blind was first to it and fired a first time shot into the back of the net.
Despite seeing more of the ball, the Americans went into the break two goals down.
Matt Turner was called into action in the 71st minute and was up to the tasks this time, saving a ferocious shot from Frenkie De Jong from outside the box and denied a Cody Gakpo header on the rebound.
Moments later, substitute, Haji Wright pulled one back for Gregg Berhalter’s side, sensationally diverting a Christian Pulisic’s low ball into the top corner, giving Dumfries or even Noppert no chance at all.
However, the Dutch were quick to restore their two goal cushion five minutes later as Dumfries volleyed home a Daley Blind’s cross, which evaded everyone but himself at the back post.
Louis van Gaal’s side run out 3-1 winners and await the winner of the other round of 16 fixture between Argentina and Australia later today to determine who they will face for a place in the last four.
The Netherlands reach the quarter finals for the seventh time. Before missing out on the last edition in 2018, they had reached at least the semi final in the previous two, including the final in 2010.
The US are eliminated from the tournament, failing to reach the quarter final since 2002. Their best finish remain a third place achievement in the maiden edition of the tournament back in 1930.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
