The Netherlands survived a late scare against the United States with a ruthless display of finishing in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
The U.S. had the biggest early chance of the game when Christian Pulisic was denied by the legs of Dutch goalkeeper Andreas Neupert, and the failure to capitalize on the chance proved costly.
Louis van Gaal’s side responded in the 10th minute in the best of Dutch tradition when Memphis Depay turned in a Denzel Dumfries cross to crown a brilliant 21-pass move.
The US fought hard but were not significantly lacking and were punished in style with the final kick of the first half when Daley Blind got on the end of another Dumfries cutback with perfect timing.
The Dutch were given moments of worry when the United States pulled a goal back in the 76th minute as Haji Wright’s free-kick deflection from Pulisic’s cross went in at the far post.
But they restored their two-goal lead five minutes later when creator Dumfries curled in a side-footed volley at the far post from Blind’s cross to make it the scorer.
Van Gaal’s Dutch march continues.
Van Gaal has previously completed this course with the Netherlands, when he guided them to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, only to be beaten on penalties by Argentina after a goalless draw in Sao Paulo. Had to lose.
And his vast experience means they cannot be underestimated here as they have a last-eight meeting with either their 2014 winners Argentina or Australia, who meet on Saturday at 19:00 GMT.
Nobody will pretend this is a classic Dutch side but they have a sprinkling of quality in all areas and the beauty of their first goal, which would have delighted the purists in their homeland, is a reflection of their talent. It was a demonstration.
Virgil van Dijk is the world class defensive leader along with Nathan Eck, while full-backs Blind and Dumfries both make key contributions.
Frenkie de Jong brings control to the midfield and there is a real threat in the form of Depay, who scored his first goal of this World Cup, and one of the breakout stars of this World Cup, Cody Gakpo.
It was a display that delighted a band of Dutch fans marching alongside Van Gaal inside the Khalifa International Stadium.
Pulisic miss proves costly
After the final whistle, States main man Christian Pulisic looked close to tears as he reflected on the chance that slipped away in those opening moments, a chance that would have made it a very different tie.
Pulisic was sent on goal by a clever ball from Tyler Adams but was blocked by Dutch keeper Neupert’s outstretched leg. Pulisic should have scored and he knew it.
The U.S. was in arrears early and never got that close to the Netherlands except for Wright’s goal, which was a lot of luck.
The left side of their defense was brutally exposed by the Dutch for all three goals and it meant their World Cup ended in the first knockout round.
There’s something for them to build on after getting out of the group stages, but there will also be frustration at the sense of opportunity wasted. He will fly to Qatar and begin his preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which he will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
