The FIFA World Cup 2022 has entered the knockout phases, where the 16 teams left will have just one more chance to advance after the Group stages are through. No longer will goal difference or points be important. From here, it’s either win or lose!
At the Khalifa International Stadium, Netherlands easily defeated the USA 3-1 in the first Round of 16 match to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarterfinals as the first team. The 2010 runner-up, who lost to Spain in the championship game, is now one step closer to winning the World Cup.
The USA had a difficult time adapting to the aggressive playing style for which the Dutch team is known, so the match was pretty one-sided and dominated by the Neds from the start. With goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind in the 10th and 46th minutes, respectively, Netherlands was able to take an early lead in the first half itself, leading 2-0 at the break.
Depay opened the scoring for the Netherlands 10 minutes into the first half following a series of 20 halted passes that culminated in Depay striking the ball into the American goal from inside the box after Dumfries sent in a precise cutback. With this vital goal, the Netherlands took a much-needed early lead. Throughout the remainder of the half, Netherlands maintained control of ball possession while USA struggled to make accurate passes through the lines.
Dumfries produced yet another assist from the right as he crossed the ball into the American box just one minute into the two minutes of additional time. As the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the first half, Daley Blind dashed in just in time to receive the cross and shoot it into the goal. This gave the Netherlands a comfortable 2-0 lead.
In the second half, the USA made a strong start but were swiftly held back by the dominant Dutch team, which frequently threatened to counterattack. After more back-and-forth play, the USA was finally able to free themselves from the Dutch’s hold in the 75th minute when Haji Wright scored the team’s first goal. Wright, who was being marked, received a cross from Pulisic that he just barely managed to push into the goal. Wright’s finish was rather clumsy, but the Americans won’t care because they were able to close the gap with the goal.
While the USA was thrilled with their goal, sorrow hit them moments later when the Netherlands scored their third goal of the game with the clock indicating 80 minutes. Denzel Dumfries finally scores a goal after assisting on the previous two Dutch goals. He did it by scoring on a left-footed volley following an exquisite cross from Daley Blind. The USA are now trailing by a score of 3-1 as the deficit has widened.
The Dutch were now just wasting time as the game went on by holding the ball at their feet and simply counting down the remaining seconds because they were confidently winning due to their commanding advantage. In the dying seconds of the match, the USA manages to come back. Pulisic ran into the box with the ball, but Frenkie De Jong stopped the move with a flagrant foul, earning him a yellow card. When the referee blew the final whistle, Netherlands had already secured a comfortable 3-1 victory and had advanced to the quarterfinals.
The Netherlands have become the first team to make it to the quarter finals of the FIFA 2022 and will now face the winner of the Argentina Vs Australia match.
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