Qatar 2022, Netherlands too strong for U.S.: Dumfries decisive

The Oranje national team is too strong for the U.S.

The Netherlands is the first qualifier for the quarterfinals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup: Louis Van Gaal’s men overcame the U.S. national team led by Gregg Berhalter 3-1. Denzel Dumfries, scorer of a goal and two assists, was on the scoresheet; Depay, Blind and Wright also netted.

The Oranje lineup started off strong right away and went ahead in the 10th minute with a goal by Memphis Depay, served by Dumfries. Even after the 1-0 lead, it was still the Netherlands that had the ball of the game in their hands, but without being able to trouble goalkeeper Turner, at least until the 46th when, just seconds before the referee’s whistle, Ajax defender Blind gave his national team the double advantage, once again on an assist from the Inter outfielder.

During halftime both coaches chose to change something, with Van Gaal inserting Koopmeiners and Bergwijn and Berhalter launching Borussia Dortmund striker Reyna.

Despite the interventions of the technical commissioners, the second half continued along the same lines as the first, with the Netherlands controlling the game but with the U.S. managing to make itself more dangerous than in the first half, and in fact, in the 76th, Wright found a deflection that fooled Noppert and reopened the game. The match was finally sealed five minutes later, when Dumfries put the 3-1 ball behind the U.S. extreme defender, off a nice cross from Blind.

In the quarterfinals, the Netherlands will face the winner between Argentina and Poland, scheduled for 8 p.m. Italian time on Saturday, Dec. 3.