The United States of America have crashed out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after losing 3-1 to the Netherlands in the round of 16.
USA started the game brighter and sharper than Van Gaal’s men. Three minutes in, Pulisic had a glorious chance in the box that required a fine save from Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert. USA continued to press high up the pitch and Pulisic was involved again playing a fine cross for striker Timothy Weah that was cleared superbly by the Dutch defence.
Against the run of play, the Netherlands took the lead. With good teams, sometimes, you just need one chance. The first touch from Dumfries on the right is played back to Memphis Depay and he sends an unstoppable shot into the net.
The US continued to press and create openings but the final ball was just lacking and five minutes before the break, Weah had a brilliant strike palmed away by Dutch goalkeeper Noppert who was in rare form.
With only one minute of first-half stoppage time, Dumfries put in a lovely cross from the right and Blind slams it home.
It was end-to-end stuff throughout the second half and after more US pressure, the Dutch rearguard finally cracked, Christian Pulisic sent in a looping cross into the box and substitute Haji Wright finished off to give them a glimmer of hope.
However, that hope was extinguished with less than 10 minutes remaining, Dumfries sealed the win for the Netherlands and settled Dutch nerves by finishing off a chance created by Daley Blind to make it 3-1.
Netherlands are now through to the quarter-finals where they will play against Argentina in what is their first major test of the World Cup so far.