The Qatar World Cup 2022 round of 16 started with the Netherlands facing the United States, with both wanting to move to the next stages of the competition. The USA team competed well but failed to convert their chances into goals. About 3 minutes into the match, Christian Pulisic received a call that would have given them a lead in the game, but he didn’t use the ball well. The game ended 3-1 in favor of the Netherlands, who will face Argentina in the next competition stage.
As expected, Argentina vs. Australia had a good game, although the Argentines needed to establish more authority in the game. It took much of Lionel Messi’s magic to break the deadlock and an Australian keeper’s mistake to give them a 2-0 lead. The game ended 2-1 after a deflection from Enzo Fernández ended in his team’s post. The Netherlands will be facing the Argentines one way will be a very interesting game between two heavyweights.
Netherlands vs. USA Highlights and Summary
Netherlands vs. USA thrilling game as each was trying to move to the Qatar World Cup 2022 round of 16. The USA team had a chance of moving to their second quarter-finals in their footballing history, but the Netherlands made it impossible. During the game, the USA team had shown quality; they even came close to scoring in the early minutes when Pulisic saw a one-on-one opportunity but didn’t use it very well.
Judging by the chances, the USA team would have won the game, but they failed to use them. This made the difference as goals from Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, and Denzel Dumfries ensured that the Netherlands cruised to the quarter-finals of the world cup. Despite their opportunities, the only goal the US scored in the game was a rebound, which came to the foot of Haji Wright.
Barcelona forward Memphis Depay was the first to score in the match in the 10th minute after he received a cross from Dumfries. Just before halftime, Denzel Dumfries played another cross into the 18 yards box of the USA and the. Daley Blind made it two goals to nil. The Netherlands was going well before Haji Wright struck in the 76th minute. However, the star player of the match, Denzel Dumfries, was quick to give the Netherlands an extended lead when he made it 3-1.
With the Netherlands moving to the quarterfinals, they will face Argentina, who beat Australia 2-1 after Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez saved the day for the Argentines.
Lineups
USA starting XI:
Matt Turner, Sergino Dest, Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Jesus Ferreira, Christian Pulisic.
Netherlands starting XI:
Noppert, Timber, van Dijk, Ake, Dumfries, de Roon, de Jong, Blid, Klaassen, Gakpo, Depay.
Goals:
NED — Memphis Depay (10 mins)
NED — Daley Blind (45 + 1 mins)
USA — Haji Wright (76 mins)
NED — Denzel Dumfries (81 mins)
Argentina vs. Australia Highlights and Summary
Another Lionel Messi magic was witnessed in Qatar as the PSG star man ensured his country played in the Qatar World Cup 2022 round of 16. Argentina vs. Australia had all the thrills and suspense anyone wanted to get from a football match.
Thirty minutes into the match, Argentina struggled to break down the defense of the Australians. Messi broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when he curled the ball into the bottom corner of the goalpost. The second goal came from talented Julian Alvarez, who capitalized on the mistake of the Australian goalkeeper to score. The Australian goalkeeper had failed to clear off his lines very well, and Alvarez took the ball off the goalkeeper’s feet to score a beautiful goal.
The only goal the Australians scored in the match came from a deflection that kept the Argentine goalkeeper rooted in one spot. Argentina faced a scare at the end of the match after Garang Kuol’s shot was saved by Emiliano Martinez just before the whistle blew for the end of the match. The Argentina football team would be thankful for that save as it prevented Lionel Messi’s 1000th game from being a disaster. It should be recalled that one of the goals Messi probably has is to win the world cup trophy, which is arguably the only missing silverware in his trophy cabinet.
Argentina vs. Australia was Lionel Messi’s 1000th game since he started playing professional football, and it ended in style as the Argentines won the match 2-1. Although Argentina managed to win the game, the Australians showed that they are maturing at international tournaments as they put up a good show against the Argentines.
Lineups
Argentina XI (4-3-3):
E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Acuna; Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul; Álvarez, Messi, Papu Gomez
Australia XI (4-4-2):
Ryan; Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Leckie, Mooy, Irvine, Baccus; McGree, Duke
Goals:
ARG — Lionel Messi — 34 mins
ARG — Julian Alvarez — 57 mins
AUS — Enzo Fernández — 76 mins