Matt Turner (top R), goalkeeper of the United States, makes a save during the Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
DOHA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Right back Denzel Dumfries gave a stunning performance as the Netherlands became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Cup with a 3-1 win over the USA on Saturday.
The defender set up his side's first two goals for Memphis Depay and Daley Blind, before assuring the win with an 81st-minute volley as the USA were pressing for an equalizer.
Christian Pulisic was passed fit to play for the USA against an unchanged Dutch side after struggling with a pelvic injury for the past couple of days, with the return of Walker Zimmerman for Cameron Carter-Vickers, the only change for the Americans.
Much of the pre-game talk had been the USA's pace and energetic high-press, and for 10 minutes they swamped the Netherlands, pinning them deep in their own half.
Fruit of that pressure, Pulisic found himself through on goal, but Andries Noppert pulled off a great stop with his left leg.
The Dutch scored in the 10th minute with ease, moving the ball from left to right where the overlapping Dumfries pulled back for the unmarked Depay to sweep into the far corner.
The Dutch got behind the USA's high pressure and Blind should have done better when Cody Gakpo's work gave him a good sight of goal.
The USA struggled to create anything until Timothy Weah appeared, first with a run down the right and then with a thumping volley that Noppert did well to parry.
Blind may have missed one good chance earlier in the half, but he made no mistake with the second on the stroke of halftime. Once again Dumfries was the provider and Blind ran onto his pullback to fire low into the corner in a repeat of Depay's opener.
The second half began with the Americans keeping their high line, and Tim Ream almost scoring at both ends. Firstly the defender saw his effort from a corner scramble away in the Dutch area, before Matt Turner reacted well to stop him deflecting in a cross from the impressive Dumfries under pressure from Depay.
Turner then made a flying save to tip away Depay's 25-meter effort and then produced a double stop to block Teun Koopmeiners' shot and Depay's follow-up header.
Haji Wright should have got the USA back into the game in the 73rd minute when he latched onto Depay's poor backpass only for his first touch to take him wide, but he did so moments later, flicking the ball with the outside of his boot so it looped agonizingly into the corner of the net.
Dumfries assured the Dutch will be in the quarterfinals with his 81st-minute volley following Blind's pinpoint cross. ■
Start players of the Netherlands sing national anthem before the Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Start players of the United States sing national anthem before the Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Denzel Dumfries of the Netherlands vies for the ball during the Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Daley Blind (L) of the Netherlands shoots and scores during the Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Andries Noppert (top R), goalkeeper of the Netherlands, makes a save during the Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Memphis Depay (front) of the Netherlands celebrates with Cody Gakpo after scoring during the Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
Virgil van Dijk (L) of the Netherlands vies with Weston McKennie of the United States during their Round of 16 match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
Teun Koopmeiners (2nd L) of the Netherlands controls the ball during the Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Tim Ream (2nd L) of the United States vies with Andries Noppert (2nd R), goalkeeper of the Netherlands, during their Round of 16 match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Haji Wright (1st) of the United States scores team's first goal during the Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
