Netherlands 3-1 USA: Dumfries shines with a goal and two assists as Pulisic and co. to crash

Denzel Dumfries assisted in all of the Netherlands' goals as they progressed to the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a 3-1 win over the United States.

Memphis Depay completed a superb shot to open the scoring in the 10th minute and Daley Blind netted the brace at Khalifa International Stadium just before halftime.

The United threatened to come back when Haji Wright pulled one back in the 76th minute, but Dumfries ensured it was the Dutch who made it to the last eight with their third five minutes later.

Louis Van Gaal named a team unchanged from the one that beat Qatar in their last group game while Walker Zimmerman and Jesus Ferreira replaced the United States.

Gregg Berhalter's side got off to a great start and had a golden chance to take the lead in the third minute when Tyler Adams sent the ball over for Christian Pulisic but Andries Noppert made a great save .

All attacking intentions came from the United States, but the Netherlands scored on their first real foray forward.

One of the best moves of the tournament saw the Dutch force their way through their opponents in clinical fashion before Dumfries cut the ball perfectly wide down the right for the pressing Depay, who swept it in the lower corner.

The Dutch were criticized at home for playing boring football and for the next half hour, barring a shot well over the bar from Blind, they were content to keep their opponents from a distance.

USA finally tested Noppert again in the 43rd minute with a clean shot from Timothy Weah from 22 yards, but before stoppage time the Netherlands doubled their advantage.

In a close copy of the opening goal, Dumfries again played the ball down from the right and this time it was Blind who hit his shot into the net before celebrating with his father Danny, who is part of the Dutch coaching staff.

Both coaches made changes at the break, with Steven Bergwijn and Teun Koopmeiners for the Dutch and Giovanni Reyna for the United States.

Berhalter's side needed a quick response and they almost got it as Tim Ream threatened a corner kick but the defender couldn't get enough on the ball and Cody Gakpo cleared in front of the line.

At the other end, Matt Turner had to be vigilant to prevent Zimmerman from scoring an own goal after putting a toe on another Dumfries cross before pushing Depay's diving effort over the bar.

USA were living dangerously as they pushed to get back into the game, and Turner made a fine double save in the 71st minute, parrying Koopmeiners' shot then rising to prevent Depay's header follow-up .< /p>

It seemed even more important five minutes later when USA scored.

Wright had gone close moments earlier when he grabbed a bad pass from Bergwijn and rounded Noppert, but his touch pushed him too far and Dumfries was able to clear.

Pulisic was the architect of the goal with a ball coming from the right that Wright somehow sent with his heel over Noppert and into the far corner.

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The keeper then flew in to clear as Wright looked to break through again, but American hopes ended nine minutes from time when the Dutch escaped and Dumfries grabbed the goal his performance deserved .

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