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The USA crashed out of the World Cup on Saturday after struggling a 3-1 defeat towards the Netherlands within the spherical of 16.
The Dutch displayed their firepower with two first-half objectives, leaving the younger US aspect an insurmountable mountain to climb. Regardless of halving the deficit within the second half, hopes of a US comeback had been crushed as Denzel Dumfries struck Netherlands’ third and despatched Gregg Berhalter’s aspect out of the event.
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There was optimism for the US earlier than the match when issues concerning the health of Christian Pulisic had been put to relaxation because the Chelsea ahead was named in Berhalter’s beginning lineup regardless of being injured towards Iran on Tuesday.
He practically gave the US an early lead, latching onto Tyler Adams’ flicked go in behind however his left-footed strike was stifled by Andries Noppert.
The US made a vibrant begin however could not capitalize on their probabilities and had been punished as Netherlands discovered the lead on 10 minutes with their first sight of aim.
Free-flowing, one-touch, build-up play noticed the ball labored out to Dumfries on the proper wing. His first-time ball was in the reduction of to Memphis Depay, who dispatched a neat end previous Matt Turner and into the far nook.
Whereas Louis van Gaal’s aspect has been criticized for conservative fashion, they conceded simply as soon as of their opening three matches. Goalkeeper Noppert needed to be alert to take care of their robust defensive document to dam a fiercely struck effort by Tim Weah from 20 yards on 43 minutes.
However because the US discovered a very good tempo, the Dutch went down the opposite finish and doubled their lead simply seconds earlier than the tip of the primary half.
Dumfries once more probed down the proper flank earlier than delivering a fizzing ball into Daley Blind, who stroked a first-time right-footed strike previous Turner.
Berhalter’s aspect threatened early within the second half, with Tim Ream seeing a tame effort cleared off the road earlier than Weston McKennie struck over.
With time working out and probabilities of a US comeback dwindling, the Netherlands appeared to place the sport past attain. Turner had to supply a superb double save to cease Teun Koopmeiners’ shot earlier than Steven Bergwijn’s subsequent header.
Turner’s heroics sparked hope for the US and so they halved their deficit with 14 minutes left to play, because of a weird aim by Haji Wright.
The ever-present Pulisic squared the ball to Wright who, underneath strain, unconventionally flicked the ball up his leg and looped his end over the top of towering Noppert.
Optimism was short-served for the US, as Dumfries complemented his earlier two assists with a aim of his personal to make sure victory for Van Gaal’s aspect.
Blind discovered area to bend an ideal left-footed cross to the again put up the place Dumfries was lurking to fireplace house.
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