Dumfries delivers as Dutch head into last eight

DOHA :Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries set up their first two goals and netted a decisive third to ensure a 3-1 victory over the United States on Saturday and a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals, thwarting U.S. efforts at a late comeback.

Dumfries ended any hopes the Americans had of staging a rescue act after they had gone 2-0 down at halftime, tucking away a third goal for the Dutch that made sure of their victory and put the seal on an influential personal performance.

The United States had cut the deficit through Haji Wright in the 76th minute, but their hopes lasted just five minutes before Louis van Gaal's team wrapped up the win to set up a clash with Argentina or Australia, who were playing later.

The Dutch looked in command of the opening last-16 tie in front of a 44,846 crowd with two goals scored in similar fashion as Dumfries crossed from the right for Memphis Depay to net in the 10th minute and then Daley Blind on the stroke of halftime.

But they allowed the Americans back into the contest as substitute Wright scored a bizarre goal, a cross from Christian Pulisic hitting his heel and looping into the net.

It was another Dutch performance at the Qatar World Cup that will not please their demanding supporters as they were unusually cautious at times, played at a slow tempo, and lived dangerously by allowing the Americans plenty of possession.

Yet they still looked a notch better than their opponents - advancing to their seventh World Cup quarter-final

"We want to improve and every game it's getting a little better, that's my feeling," said Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk. "We had two fantastic goals. What else do you want? And we had that goal against us, I have no idea how it went in."

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