By Orlando González Cruz

Havana, December 3 (RHC)-- The Netherlands defeated the United States by a score of three goals to one to qualify for the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup, which is being held in Qatar.

In the match that marked the beginning of the round of 16, the Americans took the field faithful to the style they have maintained throughout the tournament, seeking to have the ball, while the Netherlands settled on the field as the first minutes went by, winning the battles in the center of the field and, in a counterattack with good collective play, Memphis Depay scored the first goal of the match (10'). After the goal, the Europeans continued to grow in their level of play and, late in the first half, they were rewarded with a 2-0 lead, with Daley Blind scoring at 45+1'. With that scoreboard they went to the break.

In the second half, the Tulips, knowing they had the advantage, controlled the game at will, with several offensive chances that they failed to score, sometimes due to mistakes in the completion of their strikers' plays, and other times due to brilliant saves by the American goalkeeper Matthew Turner; but, just when the Orange dominated the most, they were shaken by the North Americans' goal, scored by Haji Wright at minute 76.

Just when the Stars and Stripes were getting their hopes back on track, Denzel Dumfries (81') brought them back to reality and scored the third and final goal for the Europeans.

With this result, the Netherlands secured their place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup and kept alive the dream of their fellow countrymen to reach the greatest national team title for the first time. They are now waiting for their next opponent, which will come out of the match between Argentina and Australia in the second round of the day's play.