The Khalifa International Stadium will host the first Round of 16 clash, as the Netherlands take on the USA on Saturday.
The Netherlands will be targetting a place in the quarter-finals without defeat when they commence the Round of 16 against the USA. Louis van Gaal will be delighted with how their campaign has panned out after the Oranje took the top spot in Group A with seven points on the board.
Their faltering performance against Ecuador proved only a minor blip as the Netherlands finished off their final clash with a comprehensive victory over hosts Qatar. Cody Gakpo became only the third Dutch payer to score in three consecutive World Cup games and will target a fourth against the USA.
🤩 Ready for another #WorldCup matchday⁉️#NothingLikeOranje #NEDUSA pic.twitter.com/BTOjL9wQaY
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) December 2, 2022
The Netherlands come into this clash on an impressive run of 18 unbeaten games since their Euro 2020 elimination at the hands of the Czech Republic. Moreover, Louis van Gaal’s 10-game unbeaten run at the World Cup is one behind Mario Zagallo’s mark and two behind Luiz Felipe Scolari’s all-time record of 12.
The USA will come into this clash full of confidence for the manner of their performances in this World Cup. Having started with a draw against Wales, they shifted the goalless affair with England. They then rounded off their group-stage action with a convincing 1-0 win over Iran.
They needed that victory over their Asian adversaries, as a draw or loss would have thrown them out of the competition. A Christian Pulisic goal was enough to secure three points and progress to the next round. The USA are yet to beat a European side at the World Cup since 2002, losing five and drawing six of the games they have played since that edition.
That win over Iran was also their first in six games across all competitions. The USA do not have a good record against the Netherlands, losing four times in friendly encounters. However, their most recent one against the Oranje saw the USA secure a comeback 4-3 victory in 2015.
Team News & Tactics
Netherlands
Jeremie Frimpong was the only injury concern ahead of the USA clash after he suffered an ankle problem on Wednesday. The defender has since returned to full training, meaning Louis van Gaal will have all his players fit and available for the knockout round.
A battle with 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴! 🇺🇸🦅#WorldCup #NEDUSA pic.twitter.com/CSu9ZMf2Fb
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 29, 2022
Denzel Dumfries is the preferred choice to play on the right wing, meaning Frimpong’s potential absence may not have proven problematic. Van Gaal has a potential problem with Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake, with both centre-backs walking a suspension tightrope. If they are to receive yellow cards against the USA, they will miss the quarter-finals, provided the Netherlands progress.
Cody Gakpo will lead the line once more as van Gaal is likely to name an unchanged lineup for the USA clash. The central midfield will consist of Marten de Roon and Frenkie de Jong. Jurrien Timber could continue on the right side of the back three.
Gakpo will have Memphis Depay for company in the strike partnership, although the Barcelona star will play slightly behind the in-form 23-year-old. Davy Klaassen will slot in behind the front two and provide the creative spark for the Dutch in the attack.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Noppert; Timber, van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, de Jong, Blind; Klaassen; Depay, Gakpo
USA
With Gregg Berhalter set to manage his first World Cup knockout game, he may have to do without star man Christian Pulisic. The Chelsea attacker suffered a pelvic injury against Iran but is yet to be completely ruled out. The forward took to social media to affirm he would be fine for the game, which will boost the manager. Berhalter has also provided a positive update on Pulisic.
We wouldn’t be here without unity.
🗣️ @cpulisic_10 pic.twitter.com/ooOGrzJ8fc
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) December 2, 2022
Meanwhile, there are concerns about Josh Sargent and Weston McKennie. The former could sit this one out with an ankle problem, while the Juventus midfielder is a doubt with a quad problem. The latter could come back fit and take his place in the USA midfield.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Tim Ream are set to continue in the central defensive partnership. Tyler Adams will hold the midfield together, with McKennie and Yunus Musah alongside him. Haji Wright should lead the line for the USA, while Brenden Aaronson could replace Pulisic if the Chelsea star is not fit to start.
Timothy Weah will provide pace and another attacking dimension from the right-hand side. After the Wales game, the attacker’s game has dipped a bit, but he will continue to start and hope to make a mark against the Netherlands.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Turner; Dest, Carter-Vickers, Ream, Robinson; Musah, Adams, McKennie; Weah, Wright, Pulisic
Key Stats
- The Netherlands have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six FIFA World Cup games.
- Louis van Gaal has lost none of his 10 World Cup games in charge (W7 D3), the outright most for a manager without ever losing in the competition. Only Felipe Scolari (12) and Mario Zagallo (11) had longer unbeaten starts as managers in World Cup history.
- The Netherlands only have eight shots on target so far at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
- USA are winless in their last 11 World Cup games against European nations (D6 L5) since beating Portugal 3-2 in 2002. Overall, they have won just three of their 23 World Cup games against European sides (D7 L13), also beating Belgium in 1930 and England in 1950.
- Cody Gakpo could become the first Netherlands player to score in each of his first four World Cup appearances, with Christian Vieri the last European player to do so in 1998. Gakpo could also become the first Dutchman to score in four consecutive World Cup games overall.
Player to Watch
Cody Gakpo
🇳🇱 What a #WorldCup so far, Cody. 💎#NothingLikeOranje pic.twitter.com/HtKww7hF7u
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 30, 2022
The PSV attacker is in flying form at the World Cup and has scored in all his games in Qatar. And he could extend that record with another star showing in front of the goal to take the Netherlands to new heights at the grand tournament. Between Gakpo and the goal stand those formidable defenders of the USA.
Gakpo’s form has not dwindled since the season began, and he is steadily becoming Louis van Gaal’s leading man. While the Netherlands have somewhat struggled to find an attacking balance, the 23-year-old has provided the spark when needed. Hence, he will be the man in focus alongside Pulisic, provided the USMNT star starts the game. He is doing justice to our prediction of breakout stars at the World Cup.
Prediction
Netherlands 2-1 USA
The Netherlands and the USA have recently played some cagey games but achieved success from those. However, this game promises many goals, and both sides could attack from the front. Variety in the attack has been the central theme for these teams. They could come out of the blocks in the Round of 16.
The USA have shown resilience and ability to trouble even the biggest sides in the group stage. Meanwhile, the Netherlands are yet to face an opposition of real calibre in Qatar. Considering the quality at Louis van Gaal’s disposal, the Oranje should triumph over this USMNT side and continue their journey into the quarter-finals.
