Is there a silver lining to the USA’s early exit from the World Cup after such a promising start? Here’s the latest from Qatar.
There’s an old saying that likely goes: « What the World Cup giveth, it can taketh. » And that’s how fans might feel after seeing the USA’s remarkable run in Qatar end in heartbreaking fashion thanks to the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and Argentina withstood a late surge by Australia to book a date with the Dutch in the quarterfinals.
Be sure to check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Qatar. Here’s what you might have missed from Saturday’s World Cup happenings, and a look ahead to Sunday for what’s next.
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Not the best way to start a Saturday morning, considering the United States’ solid form during the group stage and the hope of seeing this group of young players at least reach the quarterfinals.
– World Cup bracket: Netherlands, Argentina set up QF match
But the Netherlands showed the gap in quality that still exists between the USA and the sides they want to compare themselves with. Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal’s tactical game plan in the Oranje’s 3-1 win was ruthlessly effective, and it forced the US into mistakes (leaving players unmarked in all three Dutch goals) and to do things it wasn’t good at (breaking down an organized defense).
Gregg Berhalter talks to Sam Borden after the USMNT’s World Cup exit at the hands of the Netherlands.
Often stoic and at times combative, Van Gaal was in a playful mood after Saturday’s win, at one point leaning to his side to plant a kiss on the cheek of man-of-the-match Denzel Dumfries (one goal, two assists) during the postmatch news conference. Van Gaal’s system might not be the most attractive, but it worked so well against the US that two goals involved one wing-back assisting the other — first Dumfries for Daley Blind and then Blind for Dumfries.
Still, there will be a sense of what could have been for the USA. Christian Pulisic muffed an early chance, and the USA’s lone goal from Haji Wright looked more accidental than acrobatic. And of course, as it has been for some time, there’s still a need for an effective starting striker to emerge. As US coach Gregg Berhalter said afterward, « We don’t have a Memphis Depay right now. »
Did the US deserve to beat a historical powerhouse like the Dutch, to then face Lionel Messi and Argentina in what would have been a made-for-TV David vs. Goliath quarterfinal matchup? At least, these players accomplished plenty. But in four games, they also did just enough to leave everyone believing there should have been more.
But let’s move forward. Whether Berhalter continues as coach, the USA’s future is bright and the buzz is real. Lessons will be learned, experience will be gained and there will be plenty to build upon. We already counting down to the 2026 World Cup.
Deep down, Australia knew they had very little chance in Saturday’s round of 16 meeting against Argentina. And after Lionel Messi’s goal in the first half and a goalkeeper gaffe gave Argentina a second with about a half hour to spare, it seemed the Socceroos’ run in Qatar was done.
But that’s when the true fun began. Australia pinned one back after Enzo Fernandez scored an own goal and all of the sudden it seemed as though Messi’s quest for that elusive World Cup title could be on the ropes. Australia’s Aziz Behich did his best impression of Messi with a memorizing run that was desperately deflected by defender Lisandro Martinez.
The National Curriculum’s Joshua Parish thinks the Socceroos will inspire a new generation of Australian soccer fans despite World Cup exit.
And then just seconds left, keeper Emiliano Martinez made the save of the night on Socceroos teenage star Garang Kuol’s last-gasp attempt to ensure that Argentina wouldn’t follow fellow traditional powerhouse Germany through the early exit door at this tournament.
