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Netherlands claim first quarter-final spot, as the USA head home

Netherlands claim first quarter-final spot, as the USA head home

Caitlin Dillon

The Netherlands became the first side to advance to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, beating the USA 3-1 to send them out of the tournament.

Denzel Dumfries shone throughout the 90 minutes, playing a role in all three Dutch goals, first setting up Memphis Depay’s 10th minute goal and Daley Blind’s 46th minute goal, before putting his own name on the scoresheet in the 81st minute to cement his side’s victory.

Christian Pulisic had an early chance to put the USA ahead inside three minutes, but Netherlands’ Andries Noppert made a great save, denying him the opportunity. The USA continued to press - but when the Netherlands pushed into the attacking third for the first time in the 9th minute, Dumfries got a touch on the ball and played it back to Memphis at the top of the box, who ripped it into the back of the net.

Just before half time, another sublime Dumfries set-up led to a goal from Daley Blind, which was almost identical to their first.

The Dutch had a nervous few minutes when the USA pulled a goal back in the 76th minute, when a cross into the box from Pulisic deflected off Haji Wright’s heel and looped back, somehow finding its way over Noppert and into the far corner.

But, it was the Netherlands who had the final say five minutes later, when Dumfries converted a cross from Blind to add a goal to his two assists and maintain their 19-match unbeaten streak since Louis van Gaal’s appointment.

The Netherlands will find out their quarter-final opponent tonight, as Argentina take on Australia at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium at 10pm.