By Victor Kanayo
Netherlands on Saturday December 3 became the first nation to get into the quarter-final of the ongoing 2022 World Cup, with a 3-1 victory against the United States.
The USA started the match well, with a lot of energy to blitz the Dutch.
But the Dutch side later took charge and scored two goals in the first half.
The Americans tried tried a comeback in the second half after scoring one, but the Netherlands second again to make it 3-1 at full time.
Louis van Gaal has been over this course before with the Netherlands, when he guided them to a World Cup semi-final in Brazil in 2014, only to lose on penalties to Argentina after a goalless draw in Sao Paulo.
And his vast experience means they cannot be under-estimated as they set up a last eight meeting with either their 2014 conquerors Argentina or Australia.
No-one would pretend this is a classic Dutch side but they have a sprinkling of quality in all areas and the beauty of their first goal, which would have delighted the purists in their homeland, was a graphic demonstration of their capabilities.
Virgil van Dijk is the world-class defensive leader alongside Nathan Ake, while both full-backs Blind and Dumfries made crucial contributions.
Frenkie de Jong brings control to midfield and there is real threat in the shape of Depay, who scored his first goal of this World Cup, and one of the break-out stars of this World Cup, Cody Gakpo.
It was a display that delighted the band of Dutch fans inside Khalifa International Stadium as Van Gaal’s side march on.
The USA’s tournament is now over, having only scored three goals in four matches, and they will hope that the sport will continue to develop in their country in time for 2026, when they will host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
The Netherlands will on Friday December 9 play the winner of the match between Argentina and Australia in the second knockout game on Saturday night.
