The U.S. men’s national team played its biggest match in more than eight years—but there won’t be another one in Qatar next week.
The Netherlands eliminated the U.S. from the World Cup with a 3–1 triumph in the round of 16, ending the Americans’ run and setting up a quarterfinal matchup against either Argentina or Australia.
Memphis Depay’s 10th-minute goal and Daley Blind’s strike just before halftime staked the Dutch out to a 2–0 lead over the U.S., which missed a golden opportunity just a couple of minutes in when Christian Pulisic had a point-blank chance saved. Haji Wright’s 76th-minute goal temporarily brought the U.S. a lifeline, setting up a furious finish, but the Dutch’s two-goal lead was restored in the 81st minute by Denzel Dumfries to account for the final margin.
