World Cup 2022

Round of 16, Match 1- NED vs USA 

Preview 

The Netherlands and the USA will kick off the World Cup 2022 Round of 16 phase when they square off at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Louis Van Gaal’s side finished top of their group to secure their passage into the knockout stages, while the Stars and Stripes placed second in Group B behind England. 

Breakout sensation Cody Gakpo became just the fourth player in Netherlands history to score in three consecutive World Cup matches with his calmly taken opener against Qatar on Tuesday, and Frenkie De Jong also got his name in the scoring sheet with a tap-in to confirm a first place finish and extend their unbeaten streak to three games. 

Concerns have however arisen over Netherlands’ style of play at this World Cup, with The Dutch Eleven only firing eight shots on target so far, but Van Gaal seems to be unbothered by this fact as the 2010 runners up gear up for the knockout duel. 

By finishing at the top of Group A standings, Netherlands kept up their unbelievable streak of progressing to the last 16 in every World Cup they have competed since 1934, and they have only been eliminated twice at this stage in the past 32 years- once in 1990 and then again in 2006. 

Since their Euro 2020 elimination at the hands of the Czech Republic, the Netherlands have amassed an impressive 18-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, and Van Gaal is now aiming for an 11th World Cup game without defeat, tying second-placed Mario Zagallo and falling one short of Felipe Scolari's all-time record of 12.

With the only goal of the game in their last Group B meeting with Iran, USA star Christian Pulisic sent his side through to the knockout rounds of football's most famous tournament by putting his body on the line for the team and suffering an injury that necessitated hospitalisation. 

That winner-takes-all duel was resolved in the 38th minute when Pulisic dashed into space to strike from close range, allowing Gregg Berhalter's team to leapfrog Iran into second position behind England and set up a tense encounter with the Dutch.

The Americans also advanced to the last 16 in 2010 and 2014 before being eliminated, and they reached the quarter-finals as recently as 2002, but recent World Cup experience versus European countries does not favour Berhalter's crop.

Match Details

Match: Round of 16, Match 1- NED vs USA  

Date: 3 December 2022

Time: 8:30 PM  

Venue: Khalifa International Stadium  

Key Players

NED: Cody Gakpo has probably been the star player for the Dutch in the tournament so far. However, it is Frenkie De Jong who has been their unsung hero. He has been remarkable in the midfield and helps them to control the game from the back. 

USA: Christian Pulisic has been the standout player of the USA in the tournament so far. Fondly called Captain America, the Chelsea star scored the match winning goal in the last match against Iran. 

Possible Starting XIs

NED: Noppert; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, F. De Jong, Blind; Klaassen; Gakpo, Depay 

USA: Turner; Dest, Carter-Vickers, Ream, Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Musah; Weah, Sargent, Pulisic

Match Prediction

We say: NED 2-0 USA 

Netherlands might not be the best team on offence but the ruthlessness of Gakpo upfront has worked wonders for them. Besides, they possess a potent back line with Van Dijk leading from the front.

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