DOHA — A clinical Netherlands ended the US’ World Cup
dream on Saturday, sweeping into the quarterfinals with a ruthless 3–1 victory.
First-half goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind and a
late strike from Denzel Dumfries sealed a deserved victory as the Dutch handed
out a painful lesson in finishing to their American opponents.
The Netherlands, bidding to win their first World Cup after
losing in three previous finals, will face Argentina or Australia in the last
eight.
Veteran coach Louis van Gaal’s men were worthy victors in
Saturday’s last-16 clash at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Although the US enjoyed long periods of possession in a
bright first-half display, all too often a lack of composure in the final third
let them down.
Instead it was the Dutch who calmly bided their time before
carving open the Americans with forensic precision.
USA forward Christian Pulisic squandered a golden chance to
put his team 1–0 up after only three minutes, when he found himself in space
only to see a scuffed shot saved by Andries Noppert.
Buoyed by that early chance, the US remained on the front
foot, attacking high up the field.
But on 10 minutes the Netherlands took the lead. Superb
interplay in midfield saw the ball worked to Inter Milan’s Dumfries down the
right.
Dumfries picked out Depay, who swept home the finish to cap
a majestic 20-pass move that was in the best traditions of the Netherlands’
total footballing heritage.
Again the Americans advanced purposefully into Dutch
territory through Pulisic, only for the Chelsea player to deliver a cross that
fell behind his US team-mates.
Tim Weah had the best American chance of the remainder of
the half on 43 minutes, letting fly with a rasping shot that Noppert parried
away.
But in first half stoppage time, the Netherlands delivered
the hammer blow.
Dumfries again found space down the right and drilled a
cross to Blind, who had ghosted clear of Sergino Dest, for an emphatic low
finish.
The Netherlands nearly extended their lead early in the
second half when Dumfries’ low cross was prodded towards the US goal by
defender Walker Zimmerman, forcing a smart save from Matt Turner.
US coach Gregg Berhalter introduced Gio Reyna for the
ineffective Jesus Ferreira in attack at half-time in an effort to provide a
sharper cutting edge.
The Borussia Dortmund player made an instant impression
after setting up a shot for Weston McKennie that sailed over the bar.
Berhalter brought on Haji Wright for McKennie midway through
the second half and the move sparked a fleeting revival.
After seeing a goal-bound chance cleared at the near post on
75 minutes, Wright scored a minute later when his flick from Pulisic’s cross
looped over Noppert into the Dutch net for 2–1.
Yet the American fightback was short-lived. In the 81st
minute another Dutch attack pulled the US defense out of position, and Blind
calmly crossed to an unmarked Dumfries at the far post, who made it 3–1.اضافة اعلان
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