By: Carlos Salinas, Special Representative.
Without major complications, the Netherlands defeated the United States 3-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar 2022.
The North Americans had a chance to open the “score” at 2 minutes with Christian Pulisic after going hand-in-hand with the goalkeeper, but Andries Noppert was able to stop the “10” shot.
The Clockwork Orange were beginning to assert their collective dominance and Memphis Depay appeared to make it 1-0 after 10 minutes after receiving a pass from Denzel Dumfries in the heart of the box.
Louis Van Gaal’s lead extended their lead thanks to Daley Blind after another Dumfries assist a few seconds before half-time.
In the plugin, it was possible to appreciate Matt Turner’s ability under the three sticks in the plugin and avoid several scoring situations from “Mechanical Orange”.
Although the United States closed the gap at 75 minutes through Haji Wright, the Netherlands sealed the win at 81 minutes with a first-round shot from Dumfries, who was awarded Man of the Match.
The victory of the European team delights the whole squad with reaching the long-awaited World Cup after three defeats (1974, 1978 and 2010). “I have said it and I will repeat it: we can become world champions. That’s what I said and what I’m saying. I’m not saying we will be. I receive love and appreciation from those around me. Criticism is inherent in football,” Van Gaal explained at a press conference.
The road won’t be easy as the ‘Clockwork Orange’ must beat Argentina in the Quarters, a rival they beat in the Brazil 2014 Semis. For now, the Netherlands have a few days to recover physically.