Dutch masters into World Cup quarter-finals as USA downed
A clinical Netherlands ended the United States' World Cup dream on Saturday, sweeping into the quarter-finals with a ruthless 3-1 victory.
First-half goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind and a late strike from Denzel Dumfries sealed a deserved victory as the Dutch handed out a painful lesson in finishing to their American opponents.
USA forward Christian Pulisic squandered a golden chance to put his team 1-0 up after only three minutes, when he found himself in space only to see a scuffed shot saved by Andries Noppert.
The American fightback was short lived. In the 81st minute another Dutch attack pulled the US defence out of position, and Blind calmly crossed to an unmarked Dumfries at the far post, who made it 3-1.
The Netherlands, bidding to win their first World Cup after losing in three previous finals, will face Argentina in the last eight.
Lionel Messi produced a moment of trademark quality to score the opener in a 2-1 win over Australia and send Argentina into the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Saturday.
Julian Alvarez scored the other in the 57th minute after some calamitous Australian defending, before Enzo Fernandez's 77th-minute own goal set up an unexpectedly nervy finale.
Argentina had Australia pinned back but the Socceroos were resolute and growing in confidence as an uninspiring first half wore on.
Messi's 789th goal in his 1,000th career appearance, helped set up a last-eight clash with the unbeaten Netherlands on Friday.
