Netherlands Holds Off USA To Reach Quater-Final || Media Pillow Sports

The Netherlands kicked off the World Cup's knockout stage with a plucky 3-1 win over the United States in the round of 16 on Saturday.

First-half goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind gave the Dutch a 2-0 lead. The U.S. halved the deficit in the 76th minute when substitute Haji Wright somehow flicked Christian Pulisic's pass up and over goalkeeper Andries Noppert. But Denzel Dumfries capitalized on sloppy defending to restore his team's two-goal cushion.

Louis van Gaal's side will face Argentina in the quarterfinals next Friday.

The U.S. - which finished second in Group B behind England - exited the World Cup in the round of 16 for the third time in the last four editions. It failed to qualify for the tournament in 2018.

All four teams from CONCACAF have now been eliminated from the World Cup in Qatar.

Pulisic had a chance to give the U.S. the lead just three minutes into the match at Khalifa International Stadium. Streaking free of his marker, the 24-year-old found himself all alone in the penalty area, but Noppert turned away the resulting effort.

The Netherlands slowly wrestled back control and eventually caught the U.S. sleeping at the back. Dumfries' pass from out wide found Depay on the edge of the area, and the Barcelona forward made no mistake, sweeping home from around 12 yards.

Dumfries then teed up Blind in first-half stoppage time to double the Netherlands' advantage. Blind celebrated the goal with his father, Danny, who serves as an assistant coach to Van Gaal and played for the Oranje from 1986-96.

The Americans had chances to get back into the game in the second half. Dutch striker Cody Gakpo, one of the World Cup's leading scorers, turned defender in the 49th minute, clearing Tim Ream's effort off the line. Pulisic had another attempt saved a few minutes later. The U.S. outshot the Dutch 14-7 in the second stanza.

Wright's fortunate touch gave Gregg Berhalter's team life, but those hopes were short-lived. Dumfries snuck behind Antonee Robinson to volley home Blind's cross and prevent another dramatic ending at the World Cup.