Day 14 witnessed the first of the knockouts in the Round of 16. A day where a moment of magic or a moment of fallacy may be career defining as the Americans locked horns with the Dutch and the Socceroos faced the mighty Argentinians.
Netherlands vs USA ( 3-1 )
The Americans had been impressive in the Group Stages while the Orange Army – the Netherlands were yet to dazzle. The stage was set for an interesting game at the Khalifa International Stadium.
The match began with the Americans pressing forward from the word go and in the 3rd minute itself Christian Pulisic was denied by a brilliant save from the giant Andries Noppert manning the Dutch goal. For the first few minutes USA were dominating and Netherlands were at the receiving end. However the tide was to change.
The Dutch made their move through the energetic Denzel Dumfries making a quick run from the right and then crossed a superb pass in the centre for the arriving Memphis Depay to score with a cool right footer in the 10th minute. It was a brilliant goal and the Americans were stunned. The men in Orange were beginning to dazzle.
It was Dumfries again in the first half stoppage time. A replica of the first goal really. Dumfries from the right crossing to the centre where this time Daley Blind provided the coolest of finishes. At the break the Dutch were 2-0 up.
The Dazzle of the Men in Orange
The second half witnessed a real go from the USA, but could not score till a lucky deflection from the foot of Haji Wright saw the ball drift and sail into the Dutch goal in the 76th minute. It was a lifeline for the Americans. But the joy was shortlived as a quick move from the left flank did the Americans in. A cross from the left to a completely unmarked Dumfries on the right resulted in a lovely right footer from Dumfries who could do no wrong on the night. The Dutch took an unassailable 3-1 lead and quelled the American challenge to book a berth in the Quarter Finals. The Americans had a good World Cup and impressed all and sundry, while the Dutch are peaking just at the right time. Kudos Dumfries.
Argentina vs Australia ( 2-1 )
The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium hosted the 50th match of the World Cup and that too the all important Round of 16 clash between Argentina and Australia. The match truly lived up to its expectations with some delightful football on display.
Argentina played the way they do. Holding possession with some deft passing trying to find that moment to breakthrough . However the Socceroos were prepared well and did not allow the Argentinians into the penalty area for most part of the first half hour. But then it was upto Lionel Messi to provide an unbelievable flash of brilliance for the world to lap it over. The move started with Messi and ended with him through 3 short passes and a left footer so precise that it pierced the crowded defence and beat the Goalkeeper in the 35th minute. It was truly a Messi delight, one to savour.
Messi does it again
The tough Australians had been broken down by a man’s brilliance. The Argentinians were pushing forward in the second half too and not sitting on a one goal lead. The continuous pressure paid off. The Socceroos defence alongwith Mathew Ryan, committing a real Harakiri to gift a goal to Julian Alvarez who made no mistake. The Aussies were 2 down. But there was a twist in the tail as the match entered its last quarter. A lucky deflection for the Aussies from the body of Enzo Fernandez led to an Own Goal from Argentina. The gap had narrowed, the Argentinians were being made to sweat out but still the Aussies were kept at bay and in the dying seconds of the match a super save by Emiliano Martinez, the Argentine Goalkeeper, calmed the jangling nerves.
Australia had to head home after a more than impressive show in the World Cup, while Argentina will take on the Netherlands in a Quarter Final clash on Friday.
Another Arabian night of compelling action came to a close, with lots to offer when it arrives again on Day 15. Defending Champions France to take on a hard Polish side and the Teranga Lions Senegal meet the ever impressive England. Some scintillating football in the offing no doubt.
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