Memphis Depay shot down USA’s World Cup hopes before making clear his thoughts about Gregg Berhalter’s side on social media.
“Lotta bark, no bite” was the Netherlands star’s simple assessment of the Americans on social media - his post accompanied by a picture of basketball legend Charles Barkley - after the Dutch booked their spot in the World Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory in Qatar. In truth, the Barcelona ’s forward’s, declaration was nothing short of spot on after the manner of the US defeat at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, with the Europeans’ ruthless finishing proving the difference.
USA started well and missed a golden chance to lead through Chelsea's Christian Pulisic after just three minutes and were ruthlessly punished by Depay with just 10 minutes gone, a magnificent team move crowned with his low strike.
Louis van Gaal’s side seemed happy for the US to have the majority of possession in the first period, appearing to believe that they couldn’t be hurt by the US, and they duly doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, with Daley Blind finding the net.
The Dutch were given anxious moments when the US pulled a goal back in the 76th minute as Haji Wright's freak deflection from Pulisic's cross looped in, but Denzel Dumfries soon volleyed in a third to secure the victory.
USA ended the game with 58 percent possession and outshot the Dutch 17-11, but their World Cup story is largely one of missed chances - having also had good opportunities to claim wins against both Wales and England during the group stage.
Image:
Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Dutch boss Van Gaal believes his side has plenty of room for improvement despite they win.
“I was very critical at half-time in my analysis that I share with my players,” said the 71-year-old. “Although we were in the lead 2-0, I think they were fantastic goals with beauty and team spirit.
“However, in the first half we were dispossessed so much and it was not necessary. That’s simply not acceptable at a World Cup. If you play top-notch countries, you simply can’t make those mistakes.
“In the second half they did a much better job I think even though we scored fewer goals. Nonetheless we were all very, very pleased and it gives us incredible confidence.
“I think we have big chances here. We still have three matches to go. I’ve been talking about this for a year that we can become world champions.”
Dumfries set up the first two goals and prevented the USA scoring with a last ditch clearance. That led Van Gaal to pay a special tribute in the press conference to the Inter Milan right-back.
“Yesterday or the day before yesterday I gave him a big, fat kiss and I’m going to give him another big, fat kiss,” said Van Gaal before leaning over and giving Dumfries a peck on the cheek.
The 26-year-old was named after American actor Denzel Washington and he said: “I’m incredibly proud of that because Denzel Washington is a really strong personality who voices his views on certain issues and I see that as an example.”
USA boss Berhalter was left disappointed with the result, if not the efforts of his players.
“First of all congratulations to Holland for the victory and for advancing to the next round,” he said. “This is a tough one to swallow for us. The guys put everything they had into it. Such a good group of guys, such a close-knit group of guys, you just want more for them.
“Tonight we came up short. We talked about the game being about moments and I think the first half was a great indication of that. We were on top for a lot of the first half and two moments come and all of a sudden we’re down 2-0.
“Overall I’m extremely proud of this group for the way they handled themselves both on and off the field. We set out with a goal to show the rest of the world how we can play soccer and I think we partially achieved that, although we fell short of our goals.”