Netherlands score the best team goal of the tournament against USA, it was total football
The Netherlands scored the best team goal of the 2022 World Cup just ten minutes into their round of 16 clash with the United States.
The USMNT started off the more dangerous of the two sides and had a huge chance to go ahead when the ball broke for talisman Christian Pulisic.
He was one-on-one with Andries Noppert, but the 6ft 8 goalkeeper made a huge save with his leg to deny the Chelsea star.
And after that chance went begging, the Dutch stepped things up and put together a glorious flowing move that was finished off by Memphis Depay.
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Frenkie de Jong was heavily involved in the build-up and so too was Cody Gakpo as the Netherlands cut through the US. After 20 passes, Depay got on the end of a perfect cut-back from Denzel Dumfries and notched his 22nd goal in his last 24 appearances for the national team.
20 - Memphis Depay's goal ended a sequence of 20 uninterrupted passes, the most on record for a Netherlands goal at the World Cup (1966 onwards). Total. pic.twitter.com/fQU2N0EDxy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 3, 2022
It was the first goal the US had conceded in open play at this World Cup and for the Dutch, was the perfect response to claims they have been boring under Louis van Gaal at the tournament.
WHAT. A. GOAL! 🤩
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 3, 2022
Netherlands pass it from back to front and Memphis Depay applies the finish!
📺💻 Watch on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and the @BBCSport app.#BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/7pX3f1Q9ek
The Oranje allowed their opponents to have a fair chunk of possession in the opening encounters but it was them who produced the crisp passing sequence.
Fans were in awe of the piece of play and hailed the total football conjured up.
"What a goal by the Netherlands.. best of the World Cup so far," Piers Morgan wrote.
"That was an exceptional team goal from Netherlands," Gary Lineker added.
Another user said: "That Netherlands goal is one of the goals of the tournament."
One fan commented: "Johan Cruyff watching that Netherlands goal from up there in the heavens."
The Netherlands, who doubled their lead at the end of the first-half through Daley Blind, have gone 18 games unbeaten since Van Gaal took the reins for the third time.
Depay, meanwhile, has now overtaken Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on 43 goals for the Netherlands and is just eight goals away from surpassing record scorer Robin van Persie.
Topics: Netherlands, United States, Memphis Depay, Louis Van Gaal, FIFA World Cup
Josh Lawless