Netherlands have become the first team to progress to quarterfinals of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup following a 3-1 victory over United States of America in their round of 16 fixture at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.
USA looked like the better team in the opening minutes of the game, with Christian Pulisic almost putting them upfront in the 3rd as he went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but Andries Noppert’s last-gasp leg effort kept the game at bay.
However, it wasn’t long when the Netherlands broke the deadlock as Memphis Deepay scored in the 10th minute from a well-placed effort from inside the 18-yard area to put the 2010 finalists ahead.
It was the Barcelona striker’s 44th goal for the Netherlands national team, taking him to second on the country’s highest goalscorer rankings – only Robin Van Persie is ahead of him.
Timothy Weah and Sergino Dest were close to finding an equaliser for USA close to the end of the first half but were denied by goalkeeper Noppert brilliance before Daley Blind doubled the lead for Netherlands barely three minutes later.
Attempts by both sides to find the back of the net in the second half were unsuccessful until the 76th minute when Substitute Haji Wright pulled one back for USA but Denzel Dumfries extended the lead barely five minutes later to secure Netherlands’ spot in the last eight.
Netherlands will know their quarterfinals’ opponent later tonight as they lock horns with the winner of the round of 16 clash between Argentina and Australia for a place in the semifinals.
