Netherlands 3 USA 1 LIVE RESULT: Memphis on scoresheet as Dutch reach World Cup quarter-final after ruthless display
NETHERLANDS have reached the World Cup quarter-finals thanks to a 3-1 win over USA.
Memphis Depay opened the scoring, sweeping home after a fine passing move before Daley Blind made it two.
But Haji Wright's flick gave USMNT some hope heading into the final minutes of the game.
Denzel Dumfries, however, had the final say as he steered home Blind's cross just minutes later.
- RESULT: Netherlands 3-1 USA
- Netherlands XI: Noppert; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, De Jong, Blind; Gakpo, Klaassen, Depary
- USA XI: Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson; Musah, Adams, McKennie; Perreira, Weah, Pulisic
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Follow all the action from Qatar with our live blog below…
6. Netherlands 0-0 USA
An early update from Martin Lipton who is out in Qatar watching this one, as he reacts to that early Christian Pulisic chance:
"The Americans came out of the blocks fast in all three group games and it’s already a similar story here.
"Pulisic will know he should have scored when the flag rightly stayed down - Blind, slow out on the far side, played him on - but the shot was at the keeper.
"Chelsea fans may not have been shocked."
That is from Martin Lipton, who is at the game in Qatar.
4. Netherlands 0-0 USA
The Netherlands need to settle down a bit here, they are being overrun by Christian Pulisic and co who are so athletic and good without the ball.
The Oranje need to establish some control and beat the USA press.
2. Netherlands 0-0 USA
Great chance for USA early on!
And it falls to Christian Pulisic!
It is the USA who have dominated the opening two minutes of the proceedings, and a little dinked ball finds the Chelsea attacker who has ghosted in behind.
His strike is low and on target but brilliantly saved by the feet of Noppert!
0. Netherlands 0-0 USA
The referee gets the game underway, and you'll be glad to know that Martin Lipton in Qatar is as excited as we all are for the knockouts to begin...
"The REAL World Cup begins here.
"The group stage is getting your drive away on a par five. You want to avoid the traps, keep it on the short stuff.
"Now it’s about making a score."
That is from Martin Lipton in Qatar.
Here we go!
The national anthems are being belted out by both sides, who were led out by captains Virgil Van Dijk and Tyler Adams.
Just a few minutes until the game kicks off, so settle down, maybe crack open a cold one on this fine Saturday afternoon, and lets hope the knockout stages are filled with as much action as the groups!
A colourful event...
We have our cherished Martin Lipton out in Qatar from SunSport, who is lucky enough to be at the stadium for this game, and he brings us an update on the atmosphere just before the game...
"There’s nobody they won’t roll out in Qatar.
"Nobody who can’t be persuaded to come for a few bob, that is.
"After Chesney Hawkes at England v Wales, now it’s Saffron, lead singer of Republica, belting out “Ready to Go”.
"I’d say there are more US fans here than the massed ranks of the Oranje, in a strangely lop-sided stadium.
"But it’s certainly colourful."
Stay tuned for more updates from Martin Lipton throughout the game, who is live in Qatar.
As for the USA
These are the players that have been lighting things up for the United States, with Pulisic leading the way in terms of goals and assists, with one of each.
Christian Pulisic of Chelsea has lit up the World Cup for the USA. Star men for the Netherlands
This is who the Netherlands star men have been in the tournament so far, with Cody Gakpo getting the goals, and De Jong breaking things up in the middle being key for the Oranje.
The star men for the Netherlands so far ahead of their round of 16 clash against USA. Odds on?
This is how the betting looks ahead of today's game between Netherlands and USA.
It could really go either way, and could well come down to which team wants it more...
- Netherlands: 19/20
- Draw: 23/10
- USA: 10/3
correct at the time of post publication and are only for the 90 minute game, not including extra time and penalties.
Van Gaal speaks...
This is what Louis Van Gaal had to say to SunSport's Neil Custis on playing against the USA...
Van Gaal said “The USA is a very energetic squad, with physically strong players and that is tough for any opponent and you can tell that from their results.
“I think that they have evolved well. It’s typically American I would say, that they evolve rapidly and have many players in top European clubs so it goes without saying they would perform and achieve these results.”
Louis Van Gaal has led the Dutch team to two wins and a draw so far.Credit: Getty The boss knows best
We are fortunate at SunSport to have the brilliant Neil Custis out in Qatar, who has spoken to Louis Van Gaal ahead of his sides clash with the USA, this is what he had to say:
"Van Gaal ignored the pleas of Memphis Depay to make a change up front by picking the same side that beat Qatar with ease 2-0 in their final group game.
"Depay said he would prefer to play with Cody Gakpo dropped back into a number ten role while he partnered Steven Bergwijn up front.
"But with Gakpo having scored in each of the three group games nobdy can argue with how Van Gaal has been using him.
"Van Gaal was certainly not underestimating the job he has on his hands at the Khalifa against a US team who battled out a goalless draw with England."
Captain America leads the line
Christian Pulisic is a player that divides opinion at club level.
Some Chelsea fans will tell you that he is criminally underplayed, and is the closest thing that the club has to replacing Eden Hazard, and other fans will tell you that he hasn't lived up to expectations, is always injured and needs to be sold.
The truth is, he is probably somewhere in the middle of that, and is a good player, with incredible potential, that needs to find a club where he can excel and play regularly to the best of his ability.
What is undeniable however, is that he is thriving at international level and performed brilliantly in all three group games, including a great showing against England.
He also got the goal that secured a 1-0 win against Iran in a winner takes all clash, unfortunately he was injured in the process and was substituted at half-time before watching his side qualify from hospital.
However, he is back in the starting XI today, and if the USA are to get a result today, then you can expect Chelsea's number 10 to be at the forefront of that performance.
Christian Pulisic will be fired up and ready to show his talent on the world stage once more.Credit: Getty Cody living the sweet life
Cody Gakpo has undoubtedly been one of this sensations of the season in world football, winning back to back Eredivisie player of the month awards before coming into the World Cup.
And he has shown in the tournament so far why he is gathering attention from the likes of Manchester United, after scoring three goals in the group stages, one against each opponent.
Not only that, but he has scored one with his left foot, one with his right foot, and one with his head.
He seemingly has all the abilities necessary to thrive as a number nine in the modern era of football, earning himself comparisons to Kylian Mbappe and Ruud Van Nistelrooy of old.
He is the player to watch for the Netherlands today, and don't be surprised to see him on the score-sheet for the flying Dutchmen.
Cody Gakpo has three goals in three games heading into today's game.Credit: Reuters The Netherlands line up
This is how Netherlands line up against the USA.
The Netherlands team that will line up against USA in the World Cup round of 16 game. The USA starting XI
This is how USA line up to try and defeat Netherlands.
The USA team that will line up against Netherlands in the World Cup round of 16 game.
Predictions?
This is certainly a tough one to call, as Netherlands really impressed in the group stages, but ultimately they were all games that they were expected to win, whereas USA got important results where it mattered, and remain unbeaten!
That said, many people will still be backing to Netherlands to win it, but at SunSport we are not going with that...
I am going to be brave, and say that the USA are going to win it, and progress to the Quarter-Finals by a narrow margin.
But what do you think? If you guess the right score in our score predictor, you have a chance to win £5000.
Good afternoon from Qatar!
Welcome back to the 2022 World Cup and live SunSport coverage of the first round of 16 clash between the USA and Netherlands.
This is game represents a chance for both teams to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition, where they will meet the winners of Argentina vs Australia.
Netherlands were impressive in the group stages, gaining 7 points, which was the joint most of any team.
They were led by Dutch star boy Cody Gakpo, who is the tournament's joint top scorer on three goals, grabbing one against each of their group stage opponents.
On the other hand, USA got through a group including England, Wales and Iran, and their athletic midfield has really impressed a lot of neutrals in the tournament so far.
This is set to be a brilliant game, and while the Netherlands will be the favourites, it is impossible to choose a clear winner at this World Cup which has been full of surprises.
The action kicks off at 6pm local time - 3pm in the UK - and team news is on the way...