Netherlands 3-1 USA: Dutch march into World Cup quarter-finals as United States bow out in Qatar

Denzel Dumfries scored and provided two assists as he fired the Netherlands into the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup with a 3-1 victory against the United States.

The USA started the match well, with a lot of energy to blitz the Dutch. Christian Pulisic had an early chance in the second minute after Tyler Adams flicked a ball over the top, but the Chelsea forward’s shot prompted a fantastic save from Andries Noppert with his foot.

The opening goal came against the run of play after some well-worked build-up from the Dutch. The ball ended up with Dumfries who was able to pull the ball back for Memphis Depay, who sent a first-time shot into the back of the net.

From then on, the Netherlands took control of the match as the USA struggled to impose themselves in midfield. Just as the US started to look more threatening at the end of the half, the Netherlands doubled their lead, with an almost carbon copy of their first goal. Dumfries was once again instrumental as his low pass into the box was towards Daley Blind, who managed to shake off Sergino Dest and fire a shot home.

The second half saw the USA try to get back into it, and nine minutes after coming on, Haji Wright flicked in a remarkable accidental looping goal with his back heel. After the deficit was cut to one, the US had a newfound energy about them and continued to push the Dutch in search for an equaliser.

However, their momentum did not last long, as Dumfries, who found himself completely unmarked at the far post, received a cross and volleyed home the Netherlands' third goal in the 81st minute.

The USA's tournament is now over, having only scored three goals in four matches, and they will hope that the sport will continue to develop in their country in time for 2026, when they will host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.

The Netherlands will play Argentina in the last eight on December 9 after Lionel Messi inspired the South Americans to a 2-1 win over Australia in Saturday's late match.

The Dutch media has lambasted Louis van Gaal for his boring style of play all tournament and at his press conference ahead of the match, when asked why the Dutch play so passive, he simply replied that they were playing winning football.

While the Netherlands may not be the most exciting team to watch, they proved once again that you don't need to be to get results, especially in tournament football. While the USA had moments where they pinned back their opponents, and showed off their speed and skill, they wasted the majority of their chances and spent a good portion of the game failing to win the midfield battle. The Dutch, on the other hand, were able to slow the game down after their first goal, press strategically rather than blisteringly, and be decisive in front of goal.

Van Gaal's side haven't met the strongest of opponents, but they topped a group containing the African champions, Senegal, and they largely outplayed a young USA side that has received plenty of praise. They will be a tough opponent for any team, and should they somehow win this tournament, the players, coaching staff, fans and media will surely not care about how boring they were in the run-up.

Even before he had scored the goal that put the game to bed, Dumfries was easily the most decisive player on the pitch. Antonee Robinson, who was responsible for marking him, failed at every level to deal with him on the right-hand side, and time and time again, he was able to get through on the flank and get the ball to a team-mate in a dangerous area. Robinson, who looked knackered by the time he was substituted off in the 92nd minute, was unable to read his movement, which also lead to Dumfries being wide open for his goal at the far post.

With his goal, and the two assists, Dumfries becomes one of three players to be directly involved in 3+ goals in a single World Cup match for the Netherlands, after Rob Rensenbrink (twice in 1978) and Johan Cruyff (in 1974). Not bad company.

NETHERLANDS: Noppert 8, Dumfries 9, Timber 7, Van Dijk 7, Ake 7, Blind 8, De Roon 6, De Jong 7, Klaassen 7, Gakpo 7, Depay 8. Subs: Simons 6, Koopmeiners 6, Bergwijn 6, Weghorst N/A, De Ligt N/A.

USA: Turner 6, Robinson 5, Ream 6, Zimmerman 6, Dest 6, Musah 5, Adams 6, McKennie 6, Pulisic 6, Ferreira 6, Weah 5. Subs: Reyna 6, Wright 7, Aaronson 6, Yedlin 6, Morris N/A.

3' - HUGE SAVE: Wow! A fantastic dink and the ball lands to Pulisic, who is alone in the box and onside. He takes a one-touch shot, but Noppert makes a low save, and it's a huge let off for the Dutch.

10' - GOAL! NETHERLANDS 1-0 USA (Depay): IT IS COMPLETELY AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY BUT THE DUTCH HAVE SCORED! It's a fantastic goal with some great one-touch passing by the Dutch, and Dumfries, who is out wide, puts it on a plate for Depay to fire into the back of the net.

46' - GOAL! NETHERLANDS 2-0 USA (Blind): THE DUTCH HAVE SCORED ANOTHER AND IT IS AGAIN AGAINST THE RUN OF THE PLAY! HOW HAVE THEY DONE THAT? It's Blind with the finish after Dumfries pulls the ball back. Blind loses Dest, runs onto the ball, and passes it into the back of the net. Huge celebrations for the Dutch, and heartbreak for the Americans.

72' - BIG DOUBLE SAVE: Koopmeiners goes for a long-range strike that's saved by Turner, and the American keeper swiftly denies Depay's diving header moments after. It would have gone to VAR for offside if that second shot had gone in, but a huge save, nonetheless.

76' - GOAL! NETHERLANDS 2-1 USA (Wright): AND THEY ARE BACK IN THIS! AND IT IS ONE OF THE COOLEST GOALS EVER SCORED, ALBEIT LIKELY NOT ON PURPOSE. Pulisic's low cross is met by Wright, who flicks the ball with his back heel and the ball loops over the keeper and spins into the corner of the net. He has scored his first goal in the 2022 World Cup, and what a goal it is!

81' - GOAL! NETHERLANDS 3-1 USA: AND THERE IS THE DAGGER! DUMFRIES, WHO HAS BEEN THE STANDOUT PLAYER OF THE GAME, NOW GETS HIS GOAL! Blind's cross is to Dumfries at the far post and not a single American defender is there to stop the Dutchman's half-volley.