The Netherlands reached their third World Cup quarter-final in as many appearances as they comfortably beat the USA 3-1 in the first last-16 clash of World Cup 2022.
Louis van Gaal had struck a defiant tone in the build-up to this game, admonishing critics of his side's allegedly boring football and insisting that the Oranje could go all the way in Qatar.
And they've taken one step closer to doing just that, advancing to the last eight for the fourth time in the last five World Cups for which they've qualified.
One of the goals of the tournament... 💫Total football, you say? 🔥#NED #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Z88h9ZmPRsDecember 3, 2022
First-half goals from Memphis Depay (who struck for the 22nd time in his last 24 internationals) and Daley Blind, and a late strike from Denzel Dumfries – after Haji Wright had briefly given the States hope – did the job for the Dutch at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Argentina or Australia – who face off this evening – await Van Gaal and co. in the last eight on Friday.
As for the USA – who will co-host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico – they depart this tournament having given a strong account of themselves with some lively performances, but it's hard not to wonder what might have been had they possessed a quality centre-forward.
