Netherlands Beat USA 3-1 To Reach W’cup Quarter-Finals

The Netherlands moved into the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Saturday with a 3-1 win over the United States.

The US battled hard but lacked a cutting edge and were punished once more in similar fashion with the final kick of the first half when Daley Blind arrived with perfect timing on the end of another Dumfries cut back.

The Dutch were given anxious moments when the US pulled a goal back in the 76th minute as Haji Wright’s freak deflection from Pulisic’s cross looped in at the far post.

The Dutch will face either Argentina or Australia in the last eight with first-half goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind and a late Denzel Dumfries strike after Haji Wright had pulled one back for the Americans.

The Netherlands survived a late scare against the United States to move into the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals with a ruthless display of finishing.

The US had the game’s biggest early chance when Christian Pulisic was denied by the legs of Dutch goalkeeper, Andries Noppert, and the failure to take that opportunity proved highly expensive.

Louis van Gaal’s side responded in the finest Dutch traditions in the 10th minute when Memphis Depay crowned a magnificent 21-pass move by turning in Denzel Dumfries’ cross.

But they restored their two-lead five minutes later when creator Dumfries turned scorer, side-footing in a volley at the far post from Blind’s cross.