The United States' World Cup dreams were ended on Saturday when the ruthless Netherlands defeated the United States 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, and Denzel Dumfries scored in the first half to give the Dutch a deserved victory and teach their American opponents a hard lesson in finishing. After losing in three previous World Cup finals, the Netherlands will face Argentina or Australia in the last eight.
In Saturday's matchup in the last-16 at the Khalifa International Stadium, the team of seasoned coach Louis van Gaal prevailed deservedly.
In a bright first half, the USA had a lot of possession for a long time, but they often lost their cool in the final third.
Another Dutch attack forced the USA defense out of position in the 81st minute, and Blind calmly crossed to an unmarked Dumfries at the far post, making it 3-1.
Here Are The Facts About Netherlands - USA Clash
1. Netherlands have progressed from five of their last six round of 16 matches at the World Cup, including progressing from their last three appearances at this stage (2010, 2014, 2022).
2. Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 11 World Cup games (W8 D3), extending their longest ever unbeaten spell in the tournament.
3. USA have failed to win all 24 World Cup matches in which they conceded the first goal of the game, losing 19 times in the process (D5).
4. USA have been eliminated from four of their five appearances in the round of 16 at the World Cup, going out in each of their last three such games (2010, 2014, 2022).
5. Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has lost none of his 11 World Cup games in charge (W8 D3), the outright most for a manager without ever losing in the competition. Only Felipe Scolari (12) has had a longer unbeaten start as a manager in World Cup history than van Gaal (11).
6. Memphis Depay scored his 43rd international goal for the Netherlands, becoming the outright second highest goalscorer in Oranje history, behind Robin van Persie (50). In fact, Depay's goal ended a sequence of 20 uninterrupted passes, the most on record for a Netherlands goal at the World Cup (1966 onwards).
7. Christian Pulisic was directly involved in all three of USA's goals at the 2022 World Cup (1 goal, 2 assists).
8. With one goal and two assists, Denzel Dumfries became 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 Cruijff (in 1974).