Louis van Gaal is working his magic again and has taken the Netherlands to another World Cup quarter-final after a 3-1 success over the USA. The iconic manager, now in his final tournament, nullified his athletic opponents for the majority of the 90 minutes and instead his side picked them off with two first-half goals, through Memphis Depay and Daley Blind, before Denzel Dumfries killed the game off.
In the build-up to this one, the Dutch press and fans hadn’t been all too happy. Despite topping the group, some journalists believe the team hasn’t been attacking enough. Van Gaal, who headed into these knockout games knowing each one could be his last, responded in the only way he knows how.
‘Are you bored? Go home then’ - was the general gist of his response to the critical journalist in question. But ‘boring football’ saw the Netherlands score three, has now taken them into the last eight of another World Cup and they are now 19 games since Van Gaal took charge again.
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Remember this is a nation that didn’t even qualify four years ago. They needed to rely on their knight in shining armour to come back, and restore them to their former glory. He’s made them tough to beat, and their threats don’t just come from their talented attackers. The much talked about Cody Gakpo failed to score, and instead right wing-back Denzel Dumfries stole the show, with two assists and one wonderful goal.
Both wing-backs got on the scoresheet as Daley Blind applied the finishing touch to the second and they were a key weapon at both ends of the pitch. USA ran teams, including England, ragged in the groups stage but here they were neutralised by some clever LVG tactics.
His side sat back and were compact when they needed to be, and the USA simply couldn’t break them down and find the finishing touch. It could have started so differently when Christian Pulisic missed a huge chance in the opening two minutes as he was played onside and struck a left-footed effort towards goal, but was denied by Andries Noppert. The Chelsea man had more time than he realised as the US were utterly dominant in the opening moments, but they were stunned by the Netherlands' first attack.
Van Gaal’s side worked the ball forward during a 21 pass move and Denzel Dumfries cut the ball back for Depay who whipped the ball into the far corner just ten minutes in. He’s now scored 22 goals in the last 25 games for his country and pierced USA’s confidence with the first open-play goal they have conceded in Qatar.
Every touch Depay had was golden and he was constantly a threat for the US to deal with. Tactically, Van Gaal had set up his team to sit off the opposition and Gregg Berhalter’s men that have been so energetic throughout the tournament looked utterly bemused. 1-0 down in the first half, they looked struck with fear and perplexed when they got the ball.
The Dutch had seemingly quelled the ferocious Americans that have caused teams issues so far this tournament. They weren’t able to move the ball quickly enough and Jurrien Timber was positionally so aware that they weren't able to break through. Finally Weah got involved in the game and struck one from range that was parried away by Noppert before Dest charged into the box but was stopped in his tracks at the last minute.
Then just seconds before the break, the Dutch scored again. It was almost a carbon copy of the first goal as Daley Blind got on the end of a Dumfries pull back to fire one into the same far corner. He ran to the touchline to celebrate with his father Danny, and the Dutch assistant manager was left beaming as he shared a precious moment with his son. At half-time, the size of the US challenge was huge.
Tim Ream on his 50th cap couldn’t force the ball over the line from a corner before Matt Turner stopped a deflection inside the six-yard box as Dumfries caused more issues down the USA right. The Stars and Stripes pressed forward but wasted further chances through Pulisic and McKennie and a tinge of desperation creeped in.
Depay saw an effort tipped over the bar before Turner pulled off a great double save, stopping Depay’s close-range header after Teun Koopmeiners had fired one in from range. But then Hadji Wright was introduced up front for the USA and he made a big impact.
He somehow applied the craziest finishing touch to Pulisic’s low cross, scooping the ball over the Dutch keeper with a bizarre flick. I’m not sure he meant it, but the belief was back in the American veins and they were back on top. Briefly.
Then came Dumfries to spoil the fun, having already had bagged two assists. He wonderfully met a Blind cross and he buried it with a left-footed volley into the far corner. to break US hearts. That was game over and the American dream was dead, but they’ve shown great heart and will be ready to host the World Cup in four years time.
For the Dutch and Van Gaal, his dream of the perfect ending lives on.
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