From our Special Envoy in Doha,

For a team affected by flu-like symptoms, the Netherlands look pretty good.

Starting with Denzel Dumfries.

Passing through the mixed zone after his high-flying performance against the United States - a goal and two assists - the man of the match did not seem aware of the state of health of the group which worried Louis Van Gaal before the round of 16.

" Influenza ?

What flu?

Surely for American defenders who have a cold from his overflows and his calls for the ball.

The Inter Milan player was obviously imperial throughout the game, but we can't help but bang on the fingers of the United States defense.

To speak only of the third goal, it is criminal to leave a player of such quality at the far post as one cowardly abandons a dog in the forest.

The benefits of five-man defense

However, it would be very dishonest to sum up the goals of the Oranje to American errors.

To assert such ineptitude would amount to evading all the work that lies behind the passing circuits, and in particular these famous centers set back by friend Dumfries, worked by Louis Van Gaal.

“Of the goals we scored today, analyzes the Interist, I made an assist to Daley (Blind), another side, and he gave me one.

So we have demonstrated the qualities of the system and we hope it will continue.

A barely masked response to critics who are not always fans of this austere version of the Netherlands.

In a nation excessively nostalgic for Cruyff's total football, finishing a game with 41% possession and a five-man defensive line - moreover against an outsider - may seem heretical.

Dumfries, always.

“In the Netherlands we are used to having possession, it's true.

We can play better with the ball and create more chances, but we also see that we are very strong on the counter-attack with fast attackers and also a very strong defense.

»

This is the story of the first goal.

A ball recovery from the back line, quick circulation, one or two shifts and Depay to finish the mess.

“The best match” of the Dutch in Qatar

Beyond the undeniable tactical and technical qualities of the team, captain Virgil Van Dijk underlines the mental strength of his teammates.

They could have trembled after Wright's miraculous score reduction from a missed Madjer, but preferred to start again to calm the American ardor.

The 3-1 will only take five minutes to come.

"The American goal, I don't know how it came in, still enrages the Reds defender.

But after that we found a way to keep fighting and that says it all about this team I think.

»

These Netherlands are experiencing a linear progression.

Dumfries calls Saturday's match "the best of the tournament so far" and no one in the Oranje locker room plans to stop there.

And never mind that Argentina stands in their way to the quarter-finals.

Andries Noppert, still solid in his goals.

“Against Messi, we will also have to do the job.

At five behind, that could do it.

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