The Netherlands set up in their usual back five, a system which suits their squad profile.
Depay is back from injury so Bergwijn, who has yet to shine in this World Cup, is dropped. De Ligt, who got a yellow card in the first game, continues to sit on the bench, with Timber taking his spot.
The Netherlands had a very tightly-knit defence which was distinctly zonal. They played very passively, allowing USA to dominate the ball and went for a counter-attacking strategy.
Depay was pivotal in this plan with his ball-carrying abilities on the counter. He was sauntering most of the time, conserving his energies for running at the Americans.
This system would suit a Georginio Wijnaldum perfectly. He would be able to offer better ball retention for his team and has good box-to-box qualities. Of course, he’s unfortunately injured.
With a paucity of wingers in their squad, Netherlands had a lack of presence up front on the flanks, the only width in their shape furnished by the wingbacks Dumfries and Blind when they got forward. They were the key men, scoring 2 goals and 3 assists between them.
Both first half goals were very similar, Dumfries cutting it back into a similar spot for a similar finish.
With USA limited to fringe chances, everything seemed to be going to plan for the Dutch, until a lapse in positional awareness by the Netherlands defence left Pulisic in the open after a corner. He put in a dangerous cross which Wright scored with a ludicrous flick that couldn’t have been intentional.
But the Netherlands regained their comfortable lead shortly, after another defensive lapse, this time by the USA. With Dumfries left completely unmarked at the far post, he sank American hopes.
Netherlands understood the strengths and weaknesses of their assortment of players and executed a clear tactical plan to that effect.
The Americans didn’t have as coherent a strategy as the Dutch and their attack lacked a cutting edge.
Today saw zero upsets, with Argentina also knocking out Australia.
Will the Netherlands’ plan work against Messi and co.?
BLOGOPUS 