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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ben Fisher at the Khalifa International Stadium

Netherlands 3-1 USA: World Cup last-16 player ratings

Frenkie De Jong holds the ball in midfield
Frenkie De Jong (centre) was at the heart of everything for the Netherlands. Photograph: Annegret Hilse/Reuters

Netherlands (3-4-1-2)

Andries Noppert (GK) Was brave to deny Tim Ream three minutes into the second half and made a couple of decent first-half saves. 7/10

Jurriën Timber (CB) A decent night’s work for the 21-year-old Ajax defender. Unruffled but never truly tested. 6

Virgil van Dijk (CB) Arguably started the move for Depay’s slick opener inside his own 18-yard box. Will surely face a tougher test in the quarter-finals. 6

Nathan Aké (CB) Made a couple of typically smart interventions, including a sprawling headed clearance when under the cosh early on. 7

Denzel Dumfries (RWB) The most dangerous player on the pitch. Was alert to sniff danger and set up two goals before volleying in. 9

Marten De Roon (CM) Quietly efficient without doing anything remarkable as the Netherlands coasted into a two-goal lead. Withdrawn at the break. 7

Frenkie De Jong (CM) His poise calmed things down after a nervy start and his class soon told. Was at the heart of everything for the Dutch. 8

Daley Blind (LWB) The 32-year-old arrived on cue at the penalty spot to convert Dumfries’s cross and register his first Netherlands goal since 2014. 7

Davy Klaassen (AM) Involved in the first two goals; in the intricate passing for Depay’s opener and slipped in Dumfries in buildup to the second. 7

Cody Gakpo (ST) Showed a couple of neat touches and slid the ball through Ream’s legs in search of Depay. Is having a superb tournament. 7

Memphis Depay (ST) Fine first-time finish to sweep home Dumfries’s cross was his first goal in Qatar and 43rd for his country. Only Robin van Persie has more. 8

Substitutes: Steven Bergwijn Missed chance to open up a three-goal advantage; 6. Teun Koopmeiners Booked for chopping down Pulisic; 5. Xavi Simons PSV teenager entered for his World Cup debut; 5. Wout Weghorst On too late to make a difference; 5. Matthijs de Ligt Another late replacement; 5.

Christian Pulisic of the USA plays a pass during the match against the Netherlands
Christian Pulisic recovered from an injury sustained during the final group game to direct all the best play from the USA. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

USA (4-3-3)

Matt Turner (GK) Had no chance with the goals but twice superbly denied Depay. More than creditable display by Arsenal’s backup goalkeeper. 7

Sergiño Dest (RB) Born in the Netherlands, the full-back was busy down the flank. Roamed into the opposition box but his shot lacked conviction. 6

Walker Zimmerman (CB) It had all been going so well. These goals were the first USA had conceded from open play at the tournament. 5

Tim Ream (CB) Had a rare sight of goal at a corner but at the other end was fortunate a trio of stray passes went unpunished. 5

Antonee Robinson (LB) Spent a lot of time in the Dutch half when marauding forward but Dumfries had plenty of joy up against him. 5

Tyler Adams (CM) The captain was bypassed for Depay’s 10th-minute opener and never stamped his authority on the game. Disappointing. 5

Weston McKennie (CM) Powered a shot over the bar in the second half but was outclassed by a superior Dutch midfield. Replaced by goalscorer. 5

Yunus Musah (CM) Perhaps the brightest of the USA’s midfield three, the 20-year-old was positive and industrious without much reward. 6

Timothy Weah (RW) Quiet until stinging the palms of Noppert with a smacked shot from outside of the box. Replaced in the second half. 5

Jesús Ferreira (CF) Given his World Cup debut as a false nine, the 21-year-old Major League Soccer young player of the year failed to shine. 5

Christian Pulisic (LW) All of the USA’s good work went through the Chelsea forward. Failed to beat Noppert one-on-one after three minutes. 7

Substitutes: Gio Reyna Failed to make a meaningful impact; 5. Brenden Aaronson Provided a welcome thrust; 5. Haji Wright Fortuitous finish earned USA an unlikely lifeline on 76 minutes; 5. DeAndre Yedlin Unable to help find an equaliser; 5. Jordan Morris On too late to make a difference; 5.

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