Netherlands Are The First Team To Qualify For The Quarter-Finals Of The 2022 World Cup.

Netherlands becomes the first team to qualify for the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup following a 3-1 win over the United States.

The match which was played at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar, saw Barcelona Memphis Depay open the scoring by seeping in a cross from Denzel Dumfries in the 10th minute, before Daley Blind doubled the lead after also converting another cross from Dumfries just before half-time.

In the second-half, the USA enjoyed long periods of possession in a bright display, all too often a lack of composure in the final third let them down.

Haji Wright finally produced an impossible finish in the 76th minute to set up a possible comeback, but Dumfries ended their hopes of a dramatic turnaround, though, volleying in Blind's cross in the 83rd minute to secure a 3-1 victory for the Dutch side.

The result means that, the journey comes to an end for USA, while Louis van Gaal men becomes the first country to advance to the quater-finals in Qatar. The runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010, the Oranje extended their unbeaten streak to 19 games, and get set to face the next the winner of Saturday’s evening clash between Argentina and Australia.

 

Dutch coach Van Gaal was bullish about his squad after the victory.

"We made beautiful goals today," he said. "That gives us confidence. Top countries didn't progress and we still have three games to go.

"I've been talking about this for a year. We can become world champion. Not that we ‘will' but we ‘can' become world champion."