Fifa World Cup: Netherlands into quarter-finals with 3-1 victory over USA
- Although the US enjoyed long periods of possession in a first-half display, the Dutch bided their time before carving open the Americans with forensic precision
- The Netherlands, bidding to win their first World Cup after losing in three previous finals, will face Argentina or Australia in the last eight
A clinical Netherlands ended the United States’ World Cup dream on Saturday, sweeping into the quarter-finals 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.