The Netherlands beat the United States 3-1 and will face Argentina in the quarterfinals

Denzel Dumfries assisted the first two goals and scored a third to secure a 3-1 victory for the Netherlands over the United States and a place in the World Cup quarterfinals, thwarting his rival’s efforts for a late comeback.

In the next instance, the Netherlands will collide with Argentina, who in the other game of the day beat Australia 2-1 in a great match by Lionel Messi.

The Dutch seemed comfortable in command of the first round of 16 tie in front of 44,846 spectators at the Khalifa International Stadium, with two goals scored in similar fashion.

Dumfries sent a cross in from the right for Memphis Depay to score first on 10 minutes, and Daley Blind scored on the stroke of half-time. Haji Wright pulled one back in the 76th and offered the Americans hope of a comeback.

That only lasted five minutes, however, before Dumfries became man of the match with his 81st-minute goal, blasting in Blind’s cross from the left.

“We want to improve and every game is a little bit better, that’s my feeling,” Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said. “We’ve scored two fantastic goals. What more do you want? And we had that goal down, I have no idea how it came in.”

Despite having advanced to their seventh World Cup quarter-final stage since 1974, the Netherlands’ performance at the World Cup may not satisfy their demanding fans.

The Dutch were too cautious at times, playing at a slow pace and allowing the US team to have a lot of ball possession. Even so, they were a little better than their rival.

Cody Gakpo and Dumfries saved two chances in the second half and goalkeeper Andries Noppert made several saves as the Netherlands extended their unbeaten run to 19 games since Louis van Gaal returned as coach last year.

Van Gaal’s team survived an initial scare when Christian Pulisic found himself free and fit, with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Noppert, the tallest man in the World Cup, stuck out his right leg to prevent the goal.

The response from the Netherlands was quick. A series of 20 touches ended in Dumfries, who received the ball from the right and set up Depay, who went unmarked to score the opener.

After the intense start, the Dutch withdrew, waiting for opportunities to counterattack.

Noppert saved a shot from Timothy Weah, and Sergio Dest pushed through the defense but was unable to finish and missed a fine chance late in the first half.

The Netherlands broke through again on the right and scored an identical goal to their first, when Dumfries flicked in a cross for 32-year-old left-back Daley Blind to score in his 98th cap.

At 76, a cross from Pulisic hit Wright’s heel and the ball slipped into the net after an unusual parable.

But in the end Dumfries was decisive for the Dutch to go to their next challenge in the quarterfinals next Friday.

“This is hard to swallow,” said United States coach Gregg Berhalter. “It’s such a good group, so tight-knit, and we fell short today, but not for lack of effort.”