AL RAYYAN, Qatar — Memphis Depay and Daley Blind scored in the first half, Denzel Dumfries added a late goal and the Netherlands eliminated the United States to the World Cup of Soccer with a 3-1 win in the first of two round of 16 games on Saturday.
Entering the field in the second half, Haji Wright helped the United States reduce the Dutch lead to 2-1 in the 76th minute of play.
On the sequence, a cross from Christian Pulisic hit Wright’s back foot before going over the head of goalkeeper Andries Noppert and falling into the net.
However, Dumfries, who had been involved in the opening two goals for the Netherlands, hit the target in the 81st minute.
“When you play once morest a team with that much talent and you give them three, four chances, they’re going to score three or four goals,” USA captain Tyler Adams said.
“We can show that we can compete with some of the best teams in the world, some of the best players in the world, and that’s a huge improvement for soccer in the United States. We’re going in the right direction, that’s for sure, but we have to keep pushing because we’re not there yet. But we are close,” added Adams.
Finalists at the World Cup in 1974, 1978 and 2010, the Netherlands will face next Friday Argentina, who defeated Australia 2-1.
For the United States, who were hoping to advance to the round of 16 for the first time since 2002 with their revamped squad, it was a disappointing end to the game.
With the second youngest group in the entire tournament, the Americans have achieved the bare minimum to be able to speak of success at this World Cup by beating Iran in their last exit from the group stage and thus qualifying for the tier. eliminatory.
But as in 2010 once morest Ghana and in 2014 once morest Belgium, the United States were eliminated in the round of 16. The Americans are winless in 12 attempts once morest a European rival at the World Cup since 2002, including six defeats. Also, their record is one win and seven losses in playoff games.
“I think we’ve made progress,” said United States coach Gregg Berhalter.
“When people look at our team, they see a clear identity,” he said followingwards. They see players showing up on the pitch and fighting for their teammates. They see the talent on the pitch. We made progress, but tonight we fell short. »
Although the United States were the most effective early in the game, the Dutch scored the opening goal following cutting through American pressure.
Posted on the right flank, Dumfries made a pass as Depay, left unguarded, appeared in the penalty area. His right-footed shot from regarding 14 yards out beat goalkeeper Matt Turner at the far post in the 10th minute of play.
It was his 43rd international goal, which gives him second place among the Dutch, behind Robin van Persie’s 50 goals.
The Netherlands doubled their lead on the last kick of the first half, during the first minute of stoppage time. A throw-in led to a series of passes, and Dumfries passed the ball to Blind, left completely alone on the penalty spot. Blind slotted the ball into the net for his third international goal and his first in eight years.
Wright was dispatched into the fray in the 67th minute and netted his second international goal, reviving USA hopes. But Dumfries was overlooked by Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson and with his left foot he deflected Blind’s cross into the USA net.
“You look through that locker room and the silence is deafening,” Turner described.
“We want to create moments for people at home with the aim of them falling in love with the sport and tonight was not one of them, unfortunately. »
