And just like that, it's over. The United States is sent packing after a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the first game of the knockout stage. The first World Cup since 2014 for the Americans gave fans much reason for hope, but it exposed the team's weaknesses as well.
The USA’s 2022 World Cup run ended in the Round of 16 on Saturday with a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands. It’s a game that could have ended differently for the Stars and Stripes who simply weren’t at their best.
This youthful American team will be disappointed in the loss but should be proud of their performances in the tournament. This team went undefeated in the group stage, outplayed mighty England and was the only Concacaf team to advance to the Round of 16.
For one last time let’s look at the three takeaways from the USA’s final game.
Switzerland defeated Serbia 3-2 on Friday in an incredibly feisty affair that had fights and one incredibly saucy goal. Switzerland realistically only needed a draw to join Brazil and advance out of Group G.
The first half saw four goals (two from each team) in a wildly competitive affair. Switzerland’s game-winning goal was scored in the 48th minute by Remo Freuler, but it was all about the backheel assist from Ruben Vargas.
This goal won’t win the best in the tournament, but it’s definitely a top 10 contender.
South Korea secured a spot in the Round of 16 of the World Cup on Friday with an incredible last-minute goal against Portugal to win 2-1. The South Korean victory paired with Uruguay defeating Ghana 2-0 meant that the Asian underdogs advanced due to the tiebreaker of having more goals scored than Uruguay.
If you’re a casual USA soccer fan, then you’re probably familiar by now with the best US soccer players at the 2022 World Cup. After going undefeated in the group stage, the USA will face the Dutch in the Round of 16. In this article we will share the best Netherlands soccer players at the 2022 World Cup that will face the USA.
Belgium, the world's second-ranked team, needed a win over Croatia on Thursday to avoid elimination and reach the World Cup round of 16. The Belgium players had promised unity and urgency in the face of rumors alleging total chaos in the squad, but the Red Devils again came out flat with Leandro Trossard and Dries Mertens leading the attack.
After advancing from the group stage in seven-straight World Cups, Mexico crashed out of Group C on Wednesday. El Tri defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1, tied Poland on points but fell one short on goal difference in heartbreaking fashion.
The magical nights of Cody Gakpo just keep getting better and better. His consistency has evoked memories of another World Cup hero who has been the benchmark for World Cup performance since 2014. James Rodríguez’s magical tournament saw him score six goals in five games including one in each of his group stage matches.
Gakpo has followed suit for the Netherlands, scoring at the same rate in Qatar this year. Rodríguez’s month-long spell in Brazil changed his life ahead of his move to Real Madrid, could we see the same happen with Gakpo in 2022?
It is official. Soccer is the greatest sport on earth. Source: Monday’s early World Cup kickoffs.
Ghana looked in control against South Korea with two first-half goals, but they have the youngest team at the tournament and their inexperience snuck through around the hour mark when Cho Gue-sung scored a three-minute brace to level the score at two. With the game in the balance, up stepped Mohammed Kudus.
KUDUS PUTS GHANA ON TOP pic.twitter.com/PAtyNhSXvE
Serbia and Cameroon arguably played the best game of the 2022 World Cup on Monday with a six-goal thriller that ended 3-3. The game also saw a Serbia tiki-taka goal that honestly looked like it could have been scored by that legendary 2010 Spain squad.
The Eagles of Serbia were soaring after scoring two goals in first-half stoppage time to take a 2-1 lead. Playing with supreme confidence, Serbia scored one of the prettiest team goals of the tournament in the 53rd minute.
Look at this string of passes from the Serbs.