Dumfries scored once and assisted twice, putting nearly identical balls into Depay and Blind as the Netherlands defeated the United States.
Denzel Dumfries provided identical assists to Memphis Depay and Daley Blind. As the Netherlands stunned the United States in the first half.
The USA threatened a comeback when Haji Wright scored an incredible goal, but Dumfries’ volley sealed the victory.
The Netherlands will face the winner of Argentina vs. Australia in the quarter-finals.
Round of 16 Goals: Memphis Depay (10′), Daley Blind (45+1)’, Denzel Dumfries (81′); Haji Wright (76′).
The Netherlands overcame a brief scare to defeat the United States and advance to the quarter-finals.
Christian Pulisic could have opened the scoring just a couple of minutes into the game. But he was denied by Andries Noppert after racing onto a cute ball over the Dutch defence.
Responded in style
The Netherlands, on the other hand, responded in style, scoring one of the silkiest goals of Qatar 2022 so far. Out of defence, the Oranje used one-and-two-touch passes to find Denzel Dumfries on the right ring. Whose pullback was inch-perfect for Memphis Depay to sweep home.
The Americans, perhaps expecting the Dutch to open up and attack more. Appeared to be at a loss for ideas as the Dutch happily sat in and frustrated the USA forward players.
Waiting their turn paid off when, with just seconds left in the first half. Dumfries pulled a ball back to almost the same spot he did for the opener. This time, Blind was grateful for the chance to find the far corner.
After the restart, Tim Ream had an effort cleared off the line on his 50th appearance for the United States, and at the other end. Matt Turner saved a seemingly certain goal. First saving Teun Koopmeiners’ shot and then coming to his feet to complete the double save from Depay’s close-range header.
The Americans, however, were the ones who truly rekindled the fire in this game. Following a corner won by Haji Wright, it was the forward himself who benefited, scoring an incredible goal. Wright flicked the ball from the near post, up and over the defence and goalkeeper. And into the far corner of the net in response to Pulisic’s low cross.
Denzel Dumfries, the day’s star performer, guided a beautiful left foot volley into the net from Blind’s cross – returning the favour from earlier – to put an end to the comeback.
Haji Wright, did he really mean it?
One of the tournament’s best goals? Or one of the oddest? Maybe both.
Haji Wright’s goal brought the game back to life just as the Netherlands were about to enter full time with a two-goal lead. But what made it truly remarkable was how bizarre it was.
Wright was on the ground, his right boot flicking a low cross high into the air. Time hung in the balance, just like the ball, because no one knew what was going on.
Whether on purpose or not, the ball dropped over everyone’s heads and into the net, sending the American fans into a frenzy.
Memphis Depay surpassed Klaas Jan Huntelaar to become the Netherlands’ second-highest goal scorer of all time. His goal came at the end of a 20-goal move, the most unbroken passes leading to a World Cup goal in the country’s history.
