The Netherlands will face either Argentina this Friday in the quarter finals of the world cup after tactically outsmarting the USA in their 3-1 victory today in the world Cup round of 16.
Goals from Depay, Blind, and Dumfries saw the men in orange progress into the next round.
USA manager, Gregg Berhalter, named two changes coming into one of Americas most important football matches in their history, with Zimmerman and Ferreira coming in.
Netherlands remained unchanged for good reason as Louis Van Gaal had confidence in his inform team after receiving criticism from Dutch journalists over his ‘boring’ style of play.
USA came out of the blocks gunning for goal at the Khalifa International Stadium, as in the third minute, the Americans main man and Chelsea star, Christian Pulisic, was through on goal, shooting with his weaker foot, but lacking power, as Netherlands and Heerenveen goalkeeper, Noppert, was able to make a comfortable save with his left foot.
The Americans seemed poised to score, as they were relentless in the first five minutes of the game, as the Dutch were unable to get out of their own half.
After a beautifully crafted peace of play in the Dutch midfield in the 10th minute, they were able to find a flying Dumfries down the Right wing, who was able to pick out the main man Memphis Depay holding his run on the edge of the American box and firing a shot into the back of the net, 1-0 to the Netherlands.
Another chance came for Van Gaal’s team in the 18th minute of play, as young prospect Cody Gakpo made a blistering run through the USA midfield, picking out veteran Daily Blind, but his shot was fired over the goal.
The USA saw a patch of dominance as they forced the Dutch back-line all the way back trying to unlock their defence.
One of Berhalter’s sides best opportunities came in the 43rd minute when Weah hit a sweet side foot volley at goal, forcing Noppert to make a challenging save.
The Netherland’s second was almost identical to their first, as in the 46th minute, Daley Blind fired a shot in the bottom left-hand corner of Turner’s goal, from an inviting dragback cross from Denzel Dumfries, 2-0.
Half-time saw a Netherland’s side comfortable to sit back and digest all the USA attacks, leaving their opposition open to the counterattack, ultimately earning them 2 goals.
Louis Van Gaal made two substitutions at the break, subbing on Steven Bergwijn and Teun Koopmeiners for Marten de Roon and Davy Klaassen.
Berhalter only making one change, with Ferreira coming off for Dortmund star Gio Reyna to try and add some attacking threat.
Tim Ream came close to bringing a goal back for America in the 49th minute but his attempt at goal was cleared off the line by a Dutch defender.
Dumfries’ menacing attacks down the right-hand side continued as his low driven cross forced Ream to make a block that had to be saved by Turner.
The USA started the second half the better side with attempts from Pulisic and McKennie causing a threat to the Netherland’s lead.
The hour mark came, and the game progressed, legs begun to get tired, end to end football, and lots of fouls, with a Koopmeiners yellow card and a Dumfries penalty shout being ignored.
USA manager Berhalter decided to make a double change in the 67th minute bringing on more attacking flair in Haji Wright and Leeds player Brenden Aaronson and having to take off Weah and McKennie who were unable to get into the game due to the Dutch’s dominance in defence.
Matt Turner made an incredible double save in the 71st minute, with shots from Depay and Koopmeiners, keeping his team in the tie in emphatic fashion.
A horrible back pass from Dumfries saw Haji Wright through on goal, trying to get around the keeper for a tap in he dragged the ball too far wide, making his angle tough to score from, hitting the side netting.
As all seemed over, Haji Wright scored in the 76th minute with an incredible floated finish into the far corner of Noppert’s goal from a Christian Pulisic cross, giving America a lifeline.
Due to America's growing confidence, they were overloading attacks, and the Netherland’s saw an opportunity, with Daily Blind picking up the ball from the left-hand side and putting in a floated ball to be met by the left foot of Denzel Dumfries, slotting it across goal in style in the 81st minute, 3-1, and the tie was over.
Memphis Depay came off for 19-year-old Xavi Simons in the 83rd minute, after a superb performance, grabbing himself a goal.
Frenkie De Jong saw yellow in the 87th minute after taking down Aaronson and stopping a potential USA attack.
Van Gaal made to final substitutions with Ake and Gakpo being replaced after heroic attacking and defensive performances for De Ligt and Weghorst. Antonee Robinson came off for Morris in the third minute of additional time to try and savour something for America, but the game was unsavable at that point.
The full-time whistle blew and the Netherlands progress to the quarter finals where they will face the winner of Argentina vs Australia this Friday at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. For the USA its home time, however, have a lot to be proud of after progressing in what was called the most difficult group with such a young squad and have a lot to look forward too as they host the next FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The Netherlands were tactically better as they were able to take advantage of the USA’s high line and overload of players with the counterattack, although the USA tried their best to cause an major upset, they were unable to challenge a well-oiled Louis Van Gaal machine.