The 2022 FIFA world cup is off into the knock out stages. After a tough last round of group stage matches, today saw the kick off of the round of 16 with Netherlands taking on the United States men football team.
On paper it looked to be quite a easy fixture for the Holland side, judging by the talents and names they have on the squad. The likes of Memphis Depay, Dumfries, Frenkie de jong and my best player in the team, Coady Gakpo.
Netherlands went into the round of 16 as group leaders in group A after securing 7 points in 3 matches, defeating Senegal and Qatar and playing out a goalless draw with Ecuador. Coady Gakpo was their highest goal scorer with three goals in the goal stage.
The match kicked off 15:00 and Netherlands took an early lead in the 10th minutes, courtsey of an early goal by Depay and they went into the break 2 goals up.
The United States men team came in to the second half with a greater motivation and 30 minutes after the break, they got their goal, Wright scoring from a Pulisic assist.
Dumfries rounded off the scoring in the 81st minutes, adding a goal to the double assists he already bagged for a man of the match performance.
Netherlands are now the first team in this year's tournament to make it to the round of 16 after the victory. Another fixture coming up today us one that would see the Argentine national team, led by Messi take on the Australians in which I predict a 2-1 win for the south American side.
Brazil takes on South Korea, Morroco, one of the two African countries to make it out of the group stage takes on Spain, Portugal lock horns with Switzerland, 2018 winners, France battles their European counterpart, Poland. England takes on Senegal while Japan takes on the Croatian national team in the round of matches fixed for the knock out round.
Netherlands are one of my favorites to win this year's FIFA cup behind Portugal. They have a great and young squad with a coach that has sticked with them since 2015.
While mosy of the most football neutrals are divided between Portugal and Argentina, I think Netherland is one team we should watch out for, and it would be a glorious sight seeing them lift the trophy.
The road to the trophy is still a long and tricky one, and they'll only be one winner.
Who would that be?