Netherlands into quarter-finals after Dumfries volley caps win against USA
by Andy Hunter at the Khalifa International Stadium from US news | The Guardian on (#66F9X)
If this is boring football then give Louis van Gaal more of it. The Netherlands' head coach has bridled at claims he has brought a tedious team to the World Cup but they had the class, nous and killer instinct that the United States lacked to become the first country into the quarter-finals.
A player named after the actor Denzel Washington - the Internazionale defender Denzel Dumfries - was the architect of the USA's demise with two assists and a fine third goal that extinguished any chance of a comeback by Gregg Berhalter's young side. The USA rallied strongly after finding themselves two goals down at half-time and the cheekiest of flicks from Haji Wright brought hope.
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