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Netherlands vs USA, World Cup 2022 result: Dutch silence critics to reach quarter-finals
Netherlands 3 USA 1
By James Ducker at the Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
For some in the Netherlands, repudiation of the ball is sacrilege and the ends will never justify the means, no matter how handsome the result or the goals from which it derived. “Two great goals. The rest is something to cry about. As a football lover I asked myself: ‘What am I looking at?’ Zero initiative,” Marco van Basten, the former Dutch striker, fumed at half-time from a television studio.
It is certainly hard to believe too many other nations critiquing a game plan executed with conviction and burnished by three bewitching goals but Louis van Gaal, it is clear, is here to win the tournament, not plaudits, and is prepared to tailor his needs regardless of all the noise back home.
In this instance, USA had no answer to his instruction for his team to give up the ball and break quickly and directly on the counter-attack but this was not a complete rejection of Total Football. Yes, Netherlands had just 42 per cent possession and it was anything but a classically Dutch approach. But their goals were classically Dutch or at least a version of – a long, dazzling passing medley for the first, wing-back teeing up wing-back for the second and third – and there was enjoyment and entertainment to be had in watching all of them unfold.
What should we call it, then? Total tournament football? Pragmatism personified with a sprinkling of panache? Having led the Dutch to a third place finish at the 2014 finals in Brazil when his style of play also sparked anger in Holland, Van Gaal knows how to navigate a World Cup and will also know that the tournament’s most successful teams are not always the most thrilling to watch.
For all the lavish praise heaped on Spain, when they won two Euros and the World Cup between 2008 and 2012, it is easy to forget that their success in South Africa in 2010 was founded less on tika-taka flair than a miserly defence. Spain only scored eight goals in seven games but kept five clean sheets and conceded just twice.
That is not to say Netherlands are going to win this World Cup but they are an interesting construct. Whereas the Dutch played street-smart football, Gregg Berhalter’s young, exuberant but, at times, overly excitable and naive side played rush soccer. There was a brief USA flurry later in the game when Memphis Depay seemed hellbent on playing his team into trouble and the Americans pulled a goal back from substitute Haji Wright that looked extraordinary but was a complete fluke. And Van Gaal complained that his side were dispossessed too easily on occasion in the first half, something he claimed would have proved more damaging against a better side and a warning for next time out against Argentina. But, in the main, the Dutch had USA where they wanted them and played the game they wanted, making excellent use of their wing-backs, Daley Blind and man-of-the-match Denzel Dumfries, and their forward pairing of Depay and Cody Gakpo.
For the first goal, Van Gaal achieved something none of the teams managed by Rinus Michel or featuring Johan Cruyff or that hallowed trio of Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard could lay claim to: a sequence of 20 uninterrupted passes in which every player, goalkeeper Andries Noppert included, touched the ball that culminated in the coolest of finishes from Depay. Think peak Ajax 1995: the ball moved patiently at first and then later at pace and with precision from left, through the middle to the right where Dumfries, in acres of space, pulled the ball back beautifully for Depay to stroke home his 43rd international goal. “It was a fantastic team goal and this is where you see the core of the system being executed,” Dumfries said.
Watch the passes rack up 🔢
The Netherlands put in a strong contender for team goal of the tournament! 🤩#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/SeT9Kiji2O— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 3, 2022
What a game Inter Milan’s Dumfries had: two assists and a goal and a constant thorn in American sides, the Dutch exploiting the space in behind the USA full-backs time and again to superb effect. At this rate, it is not just Gakpo who will be inviting offers in the January transfer window. Goal two saw Dumfries, from a near identical position, pull the ball back for Blind to steer home. Blind’s celebration with his father, Danny, one of Van Gaal’s assistants, was one for the ages: son clasping father’s face with his hands, the pair almost nose to nose.
And then, five minutes after Wright scored with an unintentional but still mesmerising reverse chip of a finish for the US, Blind returned the favour, dispatching an inch perfect cross that Dumfries volleyed home. Cruyff used to love a full-back to full-back goal. One assumes he would make allowances for two from wing-back to wing-back.
“If the left wing back gives a cross to the right wing back to score and the other way round, it is marvellous and something I am really proud of,” said Van Gaal who planted a kiss on Dumfries in the press conference.
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal kisses defender Denzel Dumfries to show his appreciation 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/omTxzQBNDU
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 3, 2022
“I know the media don’t always report in a positive way but some top countries didn’t progress [at this tournament] and we still have three matches to go,” Van Gaal said. “I have been talking for a year that we can become world champions – not that we will but we can. I get enough appreciation from the people around me.”
Are you listening Van Basten?
Match details
Netherlands (3-4-1-2): Noppert 8; Timber 6, Van Dijk 7, Ake 7 (De Ligt 90); Dumfries 8, De Roon 6 (Bergwijn ht), De Jong 6, Blind 8; Klaassen 6 (Koopmeiners ht); Gakpo 7 (Weghorst 90), Depay 8 (Simons 83).
Booked: Koopmeiners, De Jong.
Goals: Depay (10), Blind (45+1), Dumfries (81).
Substitutes not used: Pasveer, De Vrij, De Jong, Berghuis, Lang, Bijlow, Malacia, Janssen, Taylo, Frimpong.
USA (4-3-3): Turner 6; Dest 6 (Yedlin 75), Zimmerman 6, Ream 6, Robinson 6 (Morris 90); Musah 6, Adams 6, McKennie 6 (Wright 67); Weah 5 (Aaronson 67), Ferreira 4 (Reyna ht), Pulisic 6.
Goal: Wright (76).
Substitutes not used: Horvath, De la Torre, Long, Roldan, Moore, Carter-Vickers, Acosta, Johnson, Scally.
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil).
Attendance: 44,846.
Netherlands vs USA: As it happened
05:54 PM
USA goalkeeper Matt Turner reacts
Just looking around that locker room, the silence is deafening. We all want to create moments for people back at home to fall in love with the game and tonight was not one of those nights, unfortunately.
05:42 PM
USA coach Gregg Berhalter reacts
It’s a difficult one to handle. It’s such a good group of guys, such a close group of guys. And we came up short today but not for the lack of trying. Not for the lack of effort. The guys poured everything they had into this game, and unfortunately we lost it.
05:31 PM
The view from America - Washington Editor Rozina Sabur
American football fans were left heartbroken after their defeat to the Netherlands but for many reaching the knockout stages exceeded their modest expectations.
The young team's performances in the tournament have encouraged the country's growing football fan base. Fans in the US capital braved the rain from early in the morning for a spot in the city's crowded bars to watch their country play against the Netherlands.
The match began at 10am on the US east coast but many watch sites in Washington DC were filled to the rafters by 8am.
Washington's Astro Beer Hall opened at 6 am, with fans wearing stars and stripes bandannas, and one even sporting a spangled banner jumpsuit.
British pub the Queen Vic and Across the Pond bar were also at capacity from early morning. Dejected fans at Franklin's beer hall slowly left the bar as it became clear the US could not surmount the two-goal lead.
Meanwhile, in New York, Dutch fans crowded into Hurley's Saloon near Times Square dressed in orange to celebrate.
05:22 PM
Dazzling Dumfries
Denzel Dumfries' game by numbers vs. USA:
70 touches
8 passes into the final third
5 x possession won
3 interceptions
2 aerial duels won
2 clearances
2 assists
1 goal-line clearance
1 goal
05:11 PM
A reminder the 2026 World Cup will be held in the USA, Canada & Mexico
So proud of the boys the World Cup 🇺🇸 #USMNT 2026 is going to be LITTY!
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) December 3, 2022
2026 is going to be amazing. So much to build on. Onwards and upwards!!!!! @USMNT 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Jozy Altidore (@JozyAltidore) December 3, 2022
The "next level" is in the final 3rd. It's what you do with ball progression & creating quality chances once you get to the spots. All of this comes with repetitions at the highest levels. They have 3.5 years to get those repetitions to make sure in '26 they are ready. #USMNT
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) December 3, 2022
05:06 PM
Dutch perfection
04:58 PM
'It’s the hope that kills you'
Those Americans that are new to our game, you’ll soon learn that it’s the hope that kills you.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 3, 2022
04:55 PM
Rate the players
04:53 PM
FULL TIME Netherlands 3 USA 1
Perfect game management from the Dutch. They see out stoppage time easily and book their place in the quarter-finals.
The USA are out!
04:50 PM
90+3mins: Netherlands 3 USA 1
Gakpo & Ake OFF, Weghorst & De Ligt ON
04:48 PM
90+1mins: Netherlands 3 USA 1
USA change: Robinson OFF, Morris ON
04:47 PM
90mins: Netherlands 3 USA 1
Six minutes added time.
04:44 PM
86mins: Netherlands 3 USA 1
Yellow card for De Jong after he brings down Aaronson.
04:43 PM
85mins: Netherlands 3 USA 1
Zimmerman attempts an audacious overhead kick but his effort goes comfortably wide of the post.
04:42 PM
82mins: Netherlands 3 USA 1
That third goal has deflated the Americans. Just when they hoped for a grandstand finish they were hit by another sucker punch.
04:39 PM
82mins: Netherlands 3 USA 1
Another Netherlands change:
Depay OFF, Simons ON
04:39 PM
81mins: Netherlands 3 USA 1 GOAL
THAT WILL DO IT FOR THE DUTCH.
Wing back to wing back again as Blind swings over a cross and Dumfries is completely free at the far post to volley past Turner.
04:37 PM
80mins: Netherlands 2 USA 1
We are in for a thrilling finale to the match. Stand by folks!
04:35 PM
79mins: Netherlands 2 USA 1
Has... has Haji Wright meant to do that? If he has, that's one of the most incredible goals I've ever seen. Surely it's an accident. But then, what else was he trying to do, if it wasn't that?
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) December 3, 2022
04:34 PM
78mins: Netherlands 2 USA 1
Amid all of that, the USA made a change:
Dest OFF, Yedlin ON
04:34 PM
76mins: Netherlands 2 USA 1 GOAL
HERE WE GO!
Pulisic pulls the ball back and Wright almost unbelievably flicks it in, over the despairing dive from Noppert.
Never seen a goal like it.
04:32 PM
75mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Terrible back pass by Depay, Wright picks it up and goes around Noppert but Dumfries is there to clear off the line.
04:29 PM
71mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Brilliant double save by Turner. First he palms a shot from Koopmeiners and from the rebound Depay has a chance to head in but the Arsenal keeper is there again to block.
04:23 PM
66mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Double USA change:
Weah & McKennie OFF, Aaronson & Wright ON
04:22 PM
65mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Replays show just a tangle of legs between Dumfries and Robinson. There won't be a penalty but Robinson is down and receiving treatment following that clash.
04:20 PM
63mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Dumfries goes down in the box. He wants a penalty. The referee says no. We await a replay to see what happened.
04:18 PM
61mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Good save from Turner to tip over Depay's shot from distance.
04:17 PM
60mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
First yellow of the match goes to Koopmeiners after taking out Pulisic.
04:15 PM
57mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
After a frantic start to the half, the game is starting to settle down now.
Stating the obvious but the USA have to get the next goal and make the Dutch a bit nervous.
04:11 PM
53mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
USA break away after nice feet from Musah. McKennie picks up the ball and plays in Reyna who approaches the box and pulls the ball back to McKennie, who shoots over.
04:09 PM
52mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Pulisic's turn to test Noppert from distance but the keeper makes a comfortable save.
04:08 PM
50mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Turner prevents a Zimmerman own goal with great reactions at his near post after another great pull back from Dumfries.
04:07 PM
49mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Very nearly the goal USA wanted. A corner is flicked on and the ball reaches Ream who flicks a shot towards goal but Noppert blocks and the ball is cleared.
04:05 PM
48mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Gakpo has dropped into the No 10 position behind Bergwijn & Depay.
Reyna will be a false nine for USA.
04:03 PM
46mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0
Changes for both teams at the break:
Netherlands - Klaassen & de Roon OFF, Bergwijn & Koopmeiners ON
USA - Ferreira OFF, Reyna ON
04:02 PM
Second half: Netherlands 2 USA 0
How different would this game be if Pulisic had taken his chance?
We're back under way.
03:53 PM
Rate the players
03:51 PM
Sam Dean at the Khalifa International Stadium
The US are a high-energy team and they want to play fast, aggressive football. The Dutch are far too clever to fall into that trap, though, and they are managing this game with maturity and patience. A two-goal lead feels harsh on the US but their defending for both goals was unquestionably poor. Christian Pulisic's chance came early, and it was a big miss.
03:48 PM
HALF TIME Netherlands 2 USA 0
Brutal half for USA. That was a masterclass from Van Gaal's men.
03:47 PM
45+1mins: Netherlands 2 USA 0 GOAL
Seconds before the break, the Dutch break American hearts.
Dumfries pulls the ball back to the penalty spot and Blind sidefoots past Turner. Almost a carbon copy of the first goal.
And it was the final kick of the half as the ref blows the whistle.
03:45 PM
45mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
Just one minute of added time.
03:43 PM
43mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
Finally something from the USA. Weah drives a shot at goal which is pushed away by Noppert.
Well hit but a comfortable save.
03:42 PM
41mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
Despite Netherlands seemingly being happy to let the USA come on to them, I don't think Van Gaal will be impressed by how sloppy his team has been in possession.
Very careless on the ball at times.
03:38 PM
37mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
Ferreira has barely been in the game for USA so far. They need more from their striker if they want to get back into the match.
03:35 PM
34mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
In case you didn't know, the winner of this match will play the winner of Argentina vs Australia this evening.
You can follow that match with the Telegraph from 6pm.
03:33 PM
31mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
USA struggling to open up the Dutch at this point. Their dynamism and energy is being stifled by Dutch organisation.
03:29 PM
28mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
03:27 PM
26mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
Martin Keown on the BBC says the USA are playing with fear. Not sure I quite agree with that statement.
03:24 PM
23mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
20 - Memphis Depay's goal ended a sequence of 20 uninterrupted passes, the most on record for a Netherlands goal at the World Cup (1966 onwards). Total. pic.twitter.com/fQU2N0EDxy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 3, 2022
03:22 PM
20mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
Most of the USA's attacking play has come down the left side but it feels like everything is going at 100mph.
Need a bit of calm and composure. Still plenty of time to go.
03:18 PM
17mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
Musah loses the ball. Gakpo counters and feeds Blind on his left but the wingback shoots over. Missed opportunity to punish the USA by the Netherlands.
03:16 PM
15mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
Really good position for Netherlands to be in now. They can bring the USA onto them and hit them on the counter attack.
03:13 PM
13mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0
Been a lot of criticism of Dutch style of play but that's a superb goal. Worked ball really well from left through the middle to Dumfries on right and he pulls ball back for Depay, who had been involved in the build-up, to stroke lovely finish into bottom corner. 1-0 to #NED
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) December 3, 2022
03:11 PM
10mins: Netherlands 1 USA 0 GOAL
GREAT GOAL.
First move of substance from the Netherlands. They work it from back to front, Dumfries cuts it back to the edge of the box and Depay is there to calmly side foot past Turner.
That was Totaal voetbal.
03:07 PM
6mins: Netherlands 0 USA 0
Netherlands have not got going yet. USA looking sharper and brighter in the early stages. They will want a goal to show for it though.
03:04 PM
3mins: Netherlands 0 USA 0
That was a big chance for the USA. Blind was playing Pulisic onside but wasn't able to lift his shot over Noppert.
03:03 PM
2mins: Netherlands 0 USA 0
USA dominating the ball in the early stages and Pulisic forces the first save of the match from Noppert.
03:00 PM
Kick off
After a countdown, Depay gets the match under way.
02:57 PM
Here come the teams
And it's time for the national anthems...
02:53 PM
Preparations done, nearly go time...
02:49 PM
Sam Dean at the Khalifa International Stadium
Big day for young Jesus Ferreira, who leads the line for the United States despite not playing a single minute of the group stage. The last US player to start a knockout match after not appearing in the groups was... Gregg Berhalter, the current US coach.
02:41 PM
Can the USA stop Holland's dangerman?
02:34 PM
Have your say: What will be the final score?
02:30 PM
Qatar 2022: Your need-to-know guide
02:26 PM
Has the country that gave us Total Football become a Total Turnoff?
Our expert James Ducker explores the emotions in the Netherlands ahead of the match:
'In typical Louis style, Van Gaal had told his critics to go home if they were so “terribly bored” by the football and took exception to claims that watching his side was akin to “grinding teeth” and that a nation was getting restless back home, despite their progress as Group A winners'
Read more here.
02:16 PM
Team news explained
The Netherlands stick with the same starting line-up that beat Qatar in their last group game on Tuesday.
It means Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay lead the attack with Maarten de Roon in midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong.
For the USA, Christian Pulisic is fit to start after suffering a pelvic injury in the win over Iran. Josh Sargent, misses out due to a right ankle injury and is replaced by Jesus Ferreira while Walker Zimmerman replaces Cameron Carter-Vickers in the defence.
02:07 PM
Sorry POTUS, it's called football
Good kick, @tyler_adams14.
Let’s go @USMNT! pic.twitter.com/lEPC0UHXlI— President Biden (@POTUS) December 3, 2022
01:56 PM
Team news
Netherlands: Andries Noppert, Daley Blind, Nathan Ake, Virgil van Dijk (capt), Jurrien Timber, Denzel Dumfries, Marten de Roon, Davy Klaassen, Frenkie de Jong, Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay.
USA: Matt Turner, Sergino Dest, Walker Zimmerman, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Tim Weah, Jesus Ferreira
01:48 PM
Knockout stage begins
Hello and welcome to coverage of the first last-16 match at the World Cup as the Netherlands take on the USA.
It promises to be an intriguing showdown at the 45,000-seater Khalifa International Stadium with both sides aiming to reach the quarter-finals.
Netherlands progressed to the knockout stages after finishing top of Group A while the USA finished second behind England in Group B.
The bookmakers have Louis van Gaal's side as the slight favourites but the Dutch coach was full of praise for today's opponents.
He said: "It's a process and perhaps the USA hadn't expected that from this squad, but if you watch them play, it's crystal clear they've had opportunities. I don't think it's a surprise to be quite frank.
"The USA has an excellent 'team'. I would say one of the best 'teams', fine-tuned. It's going to be a very tough match.
"But it's nothing we can't overcome. We also have a good team, that's my view. We'll have to wait and see in this match which of the two squads is the best.
"I'm not going to downplay the USA. On the contrary, they're an example of what a good team is supposed to be.
"There are also teams who have progressed who are not a good 'team', but who have excellent individual qualities."
United States coach Gregg Berhalter played for clubs in the Netherlands and expressed appreciation for the country's role in his football development.
"I learnt so much in Holland," Berhalter told reporters on Friday. "It's almost like, what concepts haven't I taken from Dutch football? It was a great experience being there.
"After every training session and every game, you have a debate with your players about it. People love to discuss soccer and you really learn a lot. And it was a great time for me.
"If I wasn't in Holland, I don't think I would have had that background that really helped shape my ideas."
