Last Updated on 12/04/2022 by てんしょく飯
Final tournament first round: Netherlands 3-1 U.S.A. (December 3, Halifa International Stadium)
The Netherlands (No. 1 in Group A) beat the United States (No. 2 in Group B) to advance to the quarterfinals.
Unlike the first round league matches, the Netherlands played a soccer game in the first half, trying to win the match without pushing too hard against the U.S., who boasts of their speed. After the U.S. scored a goal in the second half, the team scored a third goal in a furious attack. Van Haar’s team is now undefeated in 11 World Cup matches. The Netherlands will play the winner of the Argentina (first place in Group C) – Australia (second place in Group D) match in the quarterfinals.
It was the U.S. that had the first chance. In the third minute of the first half, a cross from the right was rebounded, but midfielder Adams picked up the ball and flicked it vertically. The shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. The Dutch defenders appealed for offside, but it would have been a good opportunity to take the lead if they had scored instead of being offside.
The Netherlands had not performed well in the first round and did not start the day well. However, the orange uniforms of the first-round champions suddenly came alive. In the 10th minute of the first half, a fine move from the left near the center line led to the ball being passed to FW Hakupo in the center of the opposition line, and he played it to midfielder Dumfris on the right flank. The number 22 quickly turned the ball back into the net, and FW Depay, running in free from the back, found the back of the net.
The U.S. was able to take the ball with intent at the start, but once the U.S. took the lead for the first time in the tournament, the Dutch were forced to take the ball.
The U.S. tried to attack vertically, but their compact back five and midfield made it difficult to get the ball into the attacking third. The U.S. tried a side attack, but this too was blocked, and the ball had to be sent back with no place to cross. The Dutch attackers were coming in to score a second goal on the counter.
The U.S. again came close to scoring in the closing minutes of the first half with a fast attack, but things took a turn for the worse right after the one-minute mark of the first-half stoppage time was displayed.
After a throw-in deep to the right, Holland made a fine connection, and DF Brint scored the second goal with a negative pass from Doumhoulijs. The whistle blew to end the first half shortly after.
The second goal at the end of the first half weighed heavily on the U.S., but they were young enough not to give up. In the second half, the U.S. attacked boldly from the front, trying to exploit gaps in the Dutch defense.
In the 6th minute of the second half, they stole the ball from their opponents and countered, and in the 8th minute, Pulisic fired in a shot, and in the 9th minute, McKechnie fired in a shot from the left side.
In the second half, however, the Dutch began to take control of the game, and they showed some willingness to attack. In the 16th minute, Depay’s shot was saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
But the tireless and youthful U.S. continued to set the tone. In the 30th minute of the same match, an attack began with a penalty kick on the right. The ball was returned, but the team regrouped and passed to Pulisic on the right side, who dribbled into the PA. The ball was hit off the heel of Wright, who was competing with a defender, and lifted over the goalkeeper and into the opposite side of the net.
With the Netherlands trailing by one goal, left defender Brint crossed to the far side of the PA, and a free Dumfris met it inside the box for the third goal to extend the lead again.
The Netherlands held off an onslaught by the United States, who were eager to show their mettle, and advanced to the quarterfinals in first place.
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