The Netherlands defeated the United States 3-1 on Saturday to progress to the World Cup quarterfinals. Memphis Depay and Daley Blind scored in the first half, while Denzel Dumfries added a late goal.
When Christian Pulisic’s cross hit Haji Wright’s trailing foot and popped over goalkeeper Andries Noppert and into the net in the 76th minute, the U.S. deficit was narrowed to 2-1. But in the 81st, Dumfries, who provided an assist on the first two goals, scored on a volley. The Oranje, who finished second in 1974, 1978, and 2010, extended their winning streak to 19 games and will play either Argentina or Australia on Friday.
The future is bright for the USMNT ⭐️🇺🇸
The Netherlands earn the victory and will progress to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals! 🇳🇱
Rewatch all the action in our 90' in 90" highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/zHJ4WMGvsL
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 3, 2022
For a reconstructed American squad looking to make it through the round of 16 for the first time since 2002, it was a dismal finale. The Americans, who had the second-youngest team in the competition, overcame Iran in their final group-stage match to advance to the knockout phase, which is the absolute least required for the World Cup to be considered a success.
However, the United States was eliminated in the round of 16 much like in 2010 against Ghana and 2014 against Belgium. Since 2002, the Americans have lost six of their twelve World Cup games against European opponents and have gone 1-7 in the tournament’s knockout stages.
In the third minute, Pulisic had a clear opportunity to give the United States the lead after suffering an injury during his game-winning goal against Iran, but Noppert, who was playing in only his fourth international game, blocked his attempt. Tim Weah’s 25-yard attempt was blocked by Noppert in the 42nd minute as the Americans attempted to tie the score.
The 44,846 spectators at the newly reconstructed Khalifa International Stadium, which contains an athletics track and was more muted than the boisterous supporters for the match against Iran, were seated far from the field.
Although the Americans started out playing better, the Dutch eventually took the lead after breaking the American press. Depay ran unnoticed into the penalty area as Dumfries one-timed a pass from the right flank. He moved into sole control of second place on the Dutch career scoring chart behind Robin van Persie’s 50 goals after his right-footed strike from 14 yards beat Matt Turner to the far post in the 10th minute.
The goal was the first by the Americans during the tournament’s regular play. The Americans have never overcome a deficit to win in 37 World Cup games.
In the first minute of stoppage time, the Netherlands extended their advantage with practically the last kick of the first half. Following a throw-in and a brief sequence of exchanges, Dumfries managed to get a cross past Tyler Adams and find Blind open in the penalty spot. Blind scored his first goal in eight years and just his third international goal. Weston McKennie was fed by Gio Reyna in the 54th minute, but he skied his attempt over the crossbar.
Wright came on in the 67th minute and scored his second goal for his country, giving the Americans hope. Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson had left Dumfries unguarded, so he utilized his left foot to volley Blind’s cross.
At Lusail Stadium, the location of this year’s championship game, the Netherlands will play next on Friday.
The Americans kick off the 2026 cycle on January 25 in Los Angeles against Serbia before playing Colombia three days later in Carson, California. Since the games do not fall on FIFA days, most Major League Soccer players will participate.
