QATAR: USA’s run in the FIFA World Cup ended after losing 3-1 to the Netherlands in the first knockout match on Saturday.
Netherlands opens the gateway for quarterfinals with its victorious game
With two goals in the first half, Netherlands showed their strength, making the young US team impossible to beat. Denzel Dumfries scored Netherlands’ third goal to knock Gregg Berhalter’s team out of the tournament, despite the US cutting the deficit in half in the second half.
Christian Pulisic’s fitness concerns were put to rest before the match when the Chelsea forward featured in Berhalter’s starting lineup despite picking up an injury against Iran on Tuesday. Pulisic’s fitness provided hope for the United States.
He almost gave the United States the lead right away when he caught Tyler Adams’ flicked pass, but Andries Noppert stopped his left-footed shot.
The United States had a good start, but they didn’t make the most of their chances, which cost them as the Netherlands scored their first goal after 10 minutes.
Thanks to free-flowing, one-touch build-up play, the Dutch worked the ball to Dumfries on the right wing. Memphis Depay received the rebound of his first-time pass, and he finished it perfectly past Matt Turner and into the far corner.
Although the conservative approach of Louis van Gaal’s team has faced criticism, they only conceded once in their first three games. To keep up their strong defensive record, goalkeeper Noppert had to be alert to stop a fierce effort from 20 yards by Tim Weah in the 43rd minute.
Just seconds before the end of the first half, the Dutch went down the other end and scored their second goal just as the US players were beginning to find a good tempo.
Dumfries ran down the right flank again before passing the ball to Daley Blind, who stroked a first-time right-footed strike past Turner.
Tim Ream had a weak attempt cleared off the line early in the second half for Berhalter’s team, and Weston McKennie missed the target.
The Netherlands attempted to put the game out of reach with time running out and the likelihood of a US comeback diminishing. To prevent Steven Bergwijn’s subsequent header and Teun Koopmeiners’ shot, Turner had to make an excellent double save.
The heroics of Turner gave the US hope, and a bizarre goal by Haji Wright with 14 minutes left helped them cut their deficit in half. Wright, under pressure, unorthodoxly flicked the ball up his leg and looped his finish over the head of the tall Noppert after the ever-present Pulisic squared the ball.
For the US, optimism was short-lived because Dumfries scored his own goal to go along with his two previous assists and secure victory for Van Gaal’s team. Dumfries lurked at the back post, so Blind found room to bend a perfect left-footed cross.
Also Read: Another Dramatic Night at the FIFA World Cup 2022
