NETHERLANDS are firmly in command of their World Cup last-16 clash with USA. Memphis Depay opened the scoring, sweeping home after a fine passing move.
And Daley Blind made it two just before half-time in what looked like a carbon copy of the first goal.
Start time: 3pm GMT
Live stream/TV: BBC One/iPlayer
Netherlands XI: Noppert; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, De Jong, Blind; Gakpo, Klaassen, Depary
USA XI: Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson; Musah, Adams, McKennie; Perreira, Weah, Pulisic
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Follow all the action from Qatar with our live blog below…
50. Netherlands 2-0 USA
Cleared off the line by the Netherlands!So close for the USA and Tim Ream!The ball goes into the middle of the Dutch box and falls at the feet of Fulham’s Tim Ream, he stabs an effort at goal and beats Noppert, but it is cleared off the line.
48. Netherlands 2-0 USA
It is a front two of Depay and Bergwijn now for the Dutch, with Gakpo playing in the number 10 position.
This is the attack that Memphis Depay was calling out for, so we will see if he can add to his goal tally now that he has his wish.
46. Netherlands 2-0 USA
Changes for both sides…
Christian Pulisic has moved into the false nine position, and Ferreira is off to be replaced by Gio Reyna, who the US fans have been screaming out for.
For Netherlands, Van Gaal has made two changes.
De Roon and Klaasen are off, and are being replaced by Koopmeiners and Bergwijn.
What a way to open
We have an update for you from SunSport reporter Neil Custis, who is a huge admirer of the first Dutch goal, as am I, this is what he had to say…
“What a brilliant goal it was at the Khalifa to give Holland the lead against the USA on ten minutes.
“Critics of the Dutch style, of which there are many back home in the Netherlands, could not argue with this fantastic move finished off by Memphis Depay.
“It involved 20 uninterrupted passes, the most by a Dutch team at a World Cup since these statistics began being recorded in 1966.
“The defence to attack move finished with Cody Gakpo spreading the ball wide to Denzel Dumfries who spotted Depay had slowed his run to hang just inside the area unmarked.
“He picked him out and the Barcelona man’s first time finish from 16 yards with his instep was perfect, across Matt Turner and into the far side of the goal.
“After being out injured with a hamstring injury since mid-September, Memphis has had to be eased into this tournament by Louis van Gaal. But he is up and running now.”
Dutch courage
This is what the match stats look like at half-time…
It could have been so different when Christian Pulisic got through on goal in the first two minutes, but he was denied by Noppert.
The Dutch soaked up the pressure, and struck twice with precision against the USA before half time.
Ultimately it is a footballing lesson from the Dutch thus far, and a comeback looks unlikely.
HT. Netherlands 2-0 USA.
The referee calls the first half to a close as we had just ONE minute of added time.
That has to be a record at this tournament, right?
Daley Blind made it 2-0 to the Netherlands just before half-time.Credit: Reuters
45+1. Netherlands 2-0 USA
Almost a carbon copy of the first goal, and Martin Lipton sums up my thoughts of the goal…
“Same move, same goal. Just a different scorer.
“Blind of all people able to ghost in late and plonk the ball past Turner with the last kick of the half.
“Feels like that’s the end of this one.
“Various incarnations of Captain America in the crowd look like they are ready to throw their shields in.”
45+1. Netherlands 2-0 USA
It’s two! It’s Daley Blind!
45. Netherlands 1-0 USA
End to end stuff.
A great bit of play from the USA found Serginio Dest in the middle, but he was unable to pick out an attacker to strike the ball at goal.
The Dutch again fled towards the USA goal with Cody Gakpo, but his pass at the final moment towards Depay was cut out by Zimmerman.
42. Netherlands 1-0 USA
Chance for USA!
Great strike from Timothy Weah, who resembled his Dad with a strike like that from outside the box.
Really powerful effort, hit on the half volley, that was well saved by Noppert.
40. Netherlands 1-0 USA
Better from the US, who drive down the right -side with Timothy Weah, but again it is let down with the final ball.
This time it is Christian Pulisic, who picked the ball up in the Dutch box and played a poor ball away from Antonee Robinson.
38. Netherlands 1-0 USA
Apart from that opening chance that really should have seen them take the lead, it has been a toothless performance from the USA.
They look pretty good until the ball gets into the final third, at which point the final pass and a deadly finisher are both missing in action.
34. Netherlands 1-0 USA
The Netherlands are a puzzle that the USA simply cannot work out at the moment.
They are constantly trying to build attacks down the middle of the pitch, and are used to their high intensity game being matched by their opponents.
But, the Netherlands have been clever, and are just sitting off of the USA and forcing them to play their way.
32. Netherlands 1-0 USA
Jordan Davies, who is at the game has his say on criticism towards the Dutch team which was directed at Louis van Gaal, and how they have reacted to that…
“Dutch boss Louis van Gaal has been on the receiving end of some pretty heavy criticism during this World Cup for his team’s dull and predictable style of play.
“But that goal was a blast from the past, during the days of Joahan Cruyff and Total Football.
“Memphis Depay’s goal ended a sequence of TWENTY uninterrupted passes, the most on record for Holland at a World Cup since 1966.”
28. Netherlands 1-0 USA
We have another update from Martin Lipton in Qatar, who just wants to ensure that you all (and I) are clear on his feelings towards the Mexican Wave, and the Netherlands performance…
“Some people – I potentially include Lloyd Canfield in this – may be labouring under a misapprehension about my feelings towards large groups of people standing up and sitting down in order around the perimeter of a stadium.
“Suffice to say, no punishment would be harsh enough, in my book.
“Meanwhile, US fans rediscovered their patriotism, it seems.
“But the Dutch drummer is belting out a more hopeful beat at the moment.
“You can see why.
“All extremely comfortable for van Gaal’s side.”
That is from Martin Lipton, Chief Sports Reporter for The Sun and part-time Mexcian wave hater.
26. Netherlands 1-0 USA
Weston McKennie as the spare player in midfield needs to start driving with the ball when he picks it up.
They are starting to look a bit timid on the ball and afraid of going forwards, perhaps because they know what the Netherlands can do to them on the break.
24. Netherlands 1-0 USA
The Netherlands are controlling the tempo of this one now, and are letting the USA come at them with Timothy Weah and Serginio Dest on the right-hand side.
It will be interesting to see how the game changes if the US can get a goal back.
20. Netherlands 1-0 USA
It’s always good to see that your opinion on a game is backed up by an expert, and Martin Lipton’s analysis on this one from Qatar backs up our previous post, this is what he had to say…
“Dutch are happy to let the US come at them.
“Even happier now they’re in front.
“Depay and Gakpo are pretty confident they have at least one more between them on the counter if their side can win the ball back high enough.
“Oh…and it’s Mexican Wave time, again. Deep joy.”
That is from Martin Lipton, SunSport reporter and Mexican Wave enjoyer.
18. Netherlands 1-0 USA
They will play at their tempo now, and won’t be rushing things against the USA.
The USA look eager to get the equaliser and have started the game well, despite conceding early.
They are just missing that final ball…
16. Netherlands 1-0 USA
Tempers are flaring for the USA already, as we know thanks to Jordan Davies, who is also at this one…
“What people may not have noticed was an angry United States boss Gregg Berhalter confronting one of Holland’s sub keepers for running into his technical area to celebrate the goal.
“The States bench was livid. The fourth official had a word with the opposite dug-out.
“Tempers already flaring in what has been an entertaining match-up so far.”
That is from Jordan Davies, who is live in Qatar at this game.
14. Netherlands 1-0 USA
This is Martin Lipton’s reaction to the goal, as we get his eagle-eyed analysis from the stadium in Qatar.
“Americans sliced to pieces by incisive passing and a terrific finish.
“You may say they got sucked in to the six-yard box when Dumfries got away down the right to pull back but the timing of Memphis Depay’s run and quality of his strike as he swept home were peerless.
“Sense of shock and awe for US fans, too.
“That’s the first time they’ve been behind all tournament. Dutch have found their voice.”
12. Netherlands 1-0 USA
What a goal that is, textbook, training ground stuff from the Netherlands.
They glide down the pitch in a vintage Barcelona-style attack, before finding Denzel Dumfries on the right-hand side of the box.
He cuts it back for Memphis Depay who arrives in the box late and sweeps the ball into the corner.
Brilliant team goal.
10. Netherlands 1-0 USA
Against the run of play, Netherlands are swept in front by Memphis Depay!
8. Netherlands 0-0 USA
The bright US start continues, as Christian Pulisic drives down the left hand side and gets a good ball into the middle for Weah.
The American is beaten to it and the Netherlands spring an attack on the US defence, but Memphis Depay’s shot is scuffed.
6. Netherlands 0-0 USA
An early update from Martin Lipton who is out in Qatar watching this one, as he reacts to that early Christian Pulisic chance:
“The Americans came out of the blocks fast in all three group games and it’s already a similar story here.
“Pulisic will know he should have scored when the flag rightly stayed down – Blind, slow out on the far side, played him on – but the shot was at the keeper.
“Chelsea fans may not have been shocked.”
That is from Martin Lipton, who is at the game in Qatar.
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