Netherlands 3-1 USA: Oranje moves past USA despite 2nd-half scare

Louis van Gaal’s men took on USA in a match that was defined not by attackers but rather Netherlands’ two fullbacks

and Denzel Dumfries who scored and assisted to take Oranje to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Although the result may suggest that it was an easy game for

, it is far from the truth as Berhalter’s men put up a good fight, especially in the second half, but their poor performance from the first half had already damaged their chances.

In fact, USA ended the match with more shots (8) on target while Netherlands had 6. But Netherlands started and finished the first half strongly as Memphis Depay finished a chance created by Dumfries in the 10th minute to take Oranje ahead and as the first half went into the injury time, Daley Blind found himself at the end of a

cross and tucked it neatly in USA’s corner making it 2-0 going into the break.

The second half saw Oranje sit back more which allowed players like Christian Pulisic to open up space and create chances for USA but their first serious chance happened when Depay accidentaly passed to Wright, putting him one-on-one with Oranje keeper Noppert. Wright failed to score the chance but managed to beautifully convert a Pulisic cross a few minutes later, making it 2-1.

And just as hope was creeping back to USA’s camp, Denzel Dumfries killed off USMNT’s hopes by scoring the third goal, capping off his 2 assists, and making it 3-1.

Van Gaal’s men move into the quarter-finals and await the result for tonight’s clash of Argentina and Australia. 

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