Netherlands 3-1 USA: Player ratings as Stars and Stripes bow out of World Cup
By Henry Burt
The Netherlands advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a fairly comfortable win over the USA.
Despite a slow start, Louis van Gaal's side grew into the match and caught the US out with some smart counter-attacks.
The USA dominated the early period of the match, their intense pressing a sharp contrast with the more languid style adopted by the Dutch.
Gregg Berhalter's side could even have taken the lead inside five minutes when Christian Pulisic found himself one on one with Andries Noppert, but the Chelsea winger couldn't beat the Dutch goalkeeper.
Despite their slow start, the Netherlands scored with their first attack, Memphis Depay completing a lovely back-to-front move featuring 21 passes by sweeping home from Denzel Dumfries' cutback.
The Dutch had drawn first blood, and they continued to show their threat on the counter almost every time the US gave away possession.
The US showed plenty of energy and desire to impose themselves upon the game, but struggled to penetrate a resolute Dutch defence for the majority of the half.
Their best chance to level the tie came minutes before the end of the half, when Timothy Weah shot from the edge of the box and forced a decent save from Noppert.
And the Stars and Stripes found themselves in even deeper trouble when Daley Blind scored on the stroke of half-time, Dumfries providing the assist in a goal almost identical to the first.
The scoreline felt a little harsh on the US, but the Netherlands showed their tournament experience with a mature display that took advantage of their opponents' desire to play on the front foot.
As the second half wore on, it was the Netherlands who looked more likely to score the next goal as the Americans' resolve began to fade.
Then, out of nowhere, it was 2-1. Pulisic flashed the ball across goal from the right and it looped up into the net off the boot of Haji Wright.
There appeared to be more than a sprinkling of good fortune about the goal, but the US didn't care; they were back in the game, with 15 minutes to save their World Cup.
It was beginning to look like the US might have their opponents on the ropes - but then Dumfries popped up at the far post to volley home from Blind's cross and seal the victory for the Oranje.
The USA can be proud of their performances at this World Cup and their young squad could well progress further at future tournaments. However, the better side won on the day and it will have been a major learning experience for Berhalter's side.
Player ratings: Netherlands vs USA - World Cup
Netherlands (3-4-1-2)
GK: Andries Noppert - 6/10 - Made a couple of decent saves, but probably could have done better with the US goal.
CB: Jurrien Timber - 7/10 - Resolute in defence and helped keep the ball moving nicely.
CB: Virgil van Dijk - 7/10 - A dominant display from the Dutch captain, who kept the defence organised in the closing period of the match.
CB: Nathan Ake - 7/10 - A composed 90 minutes from Ake, neutralising the threat of Timothy Weah with ease.
RWB: Denzel Dumfries - 9/10 - A supreme performance from the wing-back, who set up the first two goals before scoring the third himself.
CM: Marten de Roon - 6/10 - A solid if unspectacular first-half performance from the Atalanta man before making way for Koopmeiners.
CM: Frenkie de Jong - 7/10 - Very smooth and assured on the ball.
LWB: Daley Blind - 8/10 - Rolled back the years with a goal and an assist.
AM: Davy Klaassen - 6/10 - Slightly peripheral to the good moments the Netherlands had and was substituted at half-time.
ST: Cody Gakpo - 7/10 - No goal today for the first time at this World Cup, but Gakpo was a constant nuisance to the US defence.
ST: Memphis Depay - 8/10 - Put the final touch on a delightful first goal for his side. Subbed off early due to his ongoing injury problems, but made the difference for his side today.
Substitutes
Steven Bergwijn - 6/10 - Showed a lot of energy but didn't really have any meaningful impact on the game.
Teun Koopmeiners - 7/10 - Did the dirty work for the Netherlands in the second half, constantly popping up with key tackles and interceptions.
Xavi Simons - N/A
Wout Weghorst - N/A
Matthijs de Ligt - N/A
Manager
Louis van Gaal - 7/10 - This was not a vintage performance by the Netherlands, but they showed the guile and savvy to get the job done and Van Gaal deserves credit for that.
USA (4-3-3)
GK: Matt Turner - 7/10 - Made a couple of big saves and helped to recycle possession quickly, but could do nothing about the goals.
RB: Sergino Dest - 6/10 - Was vital to his side's attempts to play out of defence with his ability to drive forward with the ball. Unable to create much in attack, but a decent showing from Dest nonetheless.
CB: Walker Zimmerman - 6/10 - Back from injury, Zimmerman looked slightly off the pace at times here.
CB: Tim Ream - 6/10 - Looked comfortable enough on the ball but couldn't cope with the Netherlands' attacking firepower.
LB: Antonee Robinson - 6/10 - Looked threatening down the left flank and linked up nicely with Pulisic at times.
CM: Weston McKennie - 6/10 - Looked a little leggy compared to some of his performances earlier in the competition.
CM: Tyler Adams - 7/10 - A bright spark for the US, Adams can count this as a solid performance to cap an impressive World Cup for him.
CM: Yunus Munsah - 6/10 - Was unable to help his side take control of the midfield.
RW: Timothy Weah - 5/10 - A frustrating day for Weah, who never really got into the game.
LW: Christian Pulisic - 6/10 - The US needed their star man to turn up today, but Pulisic couldn't take advantage of the opportunities that fell his way and was crowded out for much of the game.
ST: Jesus Ferreira - 5/10 - Struggled to get into the game or help his side hold the ball up in attacking areas. Hooked at half time.
Substitutes
Giovanni Reyna - 5/10 - A peripheral display from the Borussia Dortmund man.
Haji Wright - 7/10 - Scored the goal that briefly got his side back into the contest, but will be left ruing his miss just a few moments later.
Brenden Aaronson - 5/10 - Was unable to contribute anything of note.
DeAndre Yedlin - N/A
Jordan Morris - N/A
Manager
Gregg Berhalter - 6/10 - There was nothing wrong with the way Berhalter set his side up today. Unfortunately, the US are not at the levels of skill and tournament experience the Netherlands possess, and they were outclassed by a stronger set of players.