The group stage is over and it’s time for the main event as the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup 2022 begin. There’s no time to relax in the matches that matter as they start with a bang while the United States take on the Netherlands in one of the most intriguing games of the round, followed by Argentina taking on one of the surprise teams of the round. tournament in Australia.
For the United States, Saturday’s game offers a chance to match their best performance in a men’s World Cup in the modern era. The 2002 run to the quarter-finals is the deepest run since the first World Cup in 1930, where two group stage wins put them into the semi-finals. This is a Netherlands team that wasn’t really challenged by their competition, which included Ecuador, Senegal and hosts Qatar in Group A. The United States, on the other hand, were pushed by one of the tournament favorites in England, whom they kept. 0-0 draw. In between, they drew 1-1 with Wales in the opener and beat Iran 1-0 to secure progression.
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World Cup schedule for Saturday
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Netherlands vs. United States, 10 a.m. ET
A matchup to watch: Cody Gakpo vs. Sergino Dest/Antonee Robinson. Gakpo is the leading goalscorer for the Netherlands and usually plays on the right side of attack for them (either as a forward or a winger, depending on how your position is defined). But it could be tempting for the Netherlands to trade him and play him on the left, where he plays for his club PSV Eindhoven, in order to match him with the suspect defensive Dest. Either way, the Dutch don’t create many chances, but when they do, it’s Gakpo who gets in. He has scored in every game for the Netherlands so far and will be in the American side to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Featured Game | Netherlands vs United States
Most likely to score a goal: Christian Pulisic. He scored and sacrificed his body in the process against Iran. That goal was the difference and carried the USA into the knockout rounds. If they are going to keep this journey going it is because Pulisic will be able to terrorize a Dutch defense and create for himself and others. This American team had more shots during the group stage than the Dutch team, so look for Pulisic to run the show on offense.
Man of the match pick: Matt Turner. It won’t need many savings, but it will need to come up with a big one or two if America is to make it. And he has that kind of game in him. Turner may not excel with his feet, but he excels at doing the main thing goaltenders are paid to do: stop shots. A great team shouldn’t depend on its goalkeeper. But this isn’t the best of teams, it’s a good team looking to pull and upset. That will require Turner to play a big role.
Match Prediction: An early Pulisic goal sets the tone and a couple of Matt Turner saves end up closing the door on a historic upset for the U.S. Men’s National Team. They won 1-0.
Lineups of the United States against the Netherlands
USA starting XI: Matt Turner, Sergino Dest, Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Jesus Ferreira, Christian Pulisic
Netherlands starters: Noppert, Timber, van Dijk, Ake, Dumfries, de Roon, de Jong, Blid, Klaassen, Gakpo, Depay
Argentina vs. Australia, 2 pm ET
A matchup to watch: Nicolas Otamendi vs Mathew Leckie. Otamendi is the veteran presence in this backline, and he sets the tone with his aggression and strength. Leckie, on the other hand, is the piece in attack that can give this team an advantage, as we saw against Denmark. Otamendi will need to keep Leckie in front of him and aim to have support to shut him down, otherwise the striker has what it takes to help surprise the Aussies.
Featured Game | Argentina vs Australia
Most likely to score a goal: Lionel Messi. After saving the penalty against Poland, he will be hungry to score here and he should. On paper, Argentina are 10 times better than the Aussies, but so was Saudi Arabia. Messi knows that any advantage he gets he has to build on and not let anyone stay. Expect him to take a few hits from the bottom of this one.
Choice of the man of the match: Enzo Fernández. He has been massive since the second game and seems to be cementing his place in the middle. He can do a little bit of everything and has the quick decision-making instincts needed to change a game on offense. It will be huge again.
Match Prediction: Similar to the Poland match, Argentina dominate possession and chances as the scoreline doesn’t reflect how one-sided it is. Argentina 2, Australia 0.