Netherlands v USA LIVE commentary: USA star Pulisic claims he will win race to be fit for final World Cup clash – date, kick-off time and how to listen on talkSPORT

The Netherlands will kick off the first game of the World Cup knockout stage against the United States this weekend.

The Dutch flattered themselves that they were cheating on their return to the world stage in Qatar after missing out on the tournament four years ago.

Louis van Gaal’s side needed two late errors from Edouard Mendy to beat Senegal as they managed a 1-1 draw with Ecuador to open their World Cup campaign.

But they eventually did enough to top Group A and will now face USA, who have fallen at this stage in their last two appearances.

Gregg Berhalter’s men gave England their toughest test yet in Qatar, and both sides are unbeaten heading into this encounter.

A potential meeting with Argentina – who will face Australia in the round of 16 – awaits the winner…

Netherlands v USA: talkSPORT coverage

This clash of the knockout stages of the World Cup will take place on Saturday, December 3.

The match at Khalifa International Stadium will start at 3 p.m.

The action will be live on talkSPORT, with Adrian Durham as presenter.

Comments will then come from Joe Shennan and former England defender Dean Ashton.

To tune into talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen through the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Netherlands v USA: Squad rosters and news

Jeremie Frimpong left training in tears with a suspected ankle injury this week and it’s a major doubt to be involved here.

American talisman Pulisic is also a doubt after limping against Iran, but the Chelsea star has assured fans in hospital that he will be fit to play.

Netherlands

• Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow, Remko Pasveer, Andries Noppert
• Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Daley Blind, Jurrien Timber, Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Mathijs de Ligt, Tyrell Malacia, Jeremie Frimpong
• Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Steven Berghuis, Davy Klaassen, Teun Koopmeiners, Cody Gakpo, Marten de Roon, Kenneth Taylor, Xavi Simons
• Forwards: Memphis Depay, Steven Bergwijn, Vincent Janssen, Luuk de Jong, Noa Lang, Wout Weghorst

UNITED STATES

• Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath, Sean Johnson, Matt Turner
• Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergino Dest, Aaron Long, Shaq Moore, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman
• Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Luca de la Torre, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Cristian Roldan
• Forwards: Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Haji Wright

Netherlands v USA: Match facts

• Cody Gakpo could become the first Dutch player to score in each of his first four World Cup appearances, with Christian Vieri being the last European player to do so in 1998. Indeed, Gakpo could become the first Dutchman to score in four consecutive World Cup matches in total. .
• Christian Pulisic has been directly involved in six goals in his last nine appearances for the United States in all competitions (4 goals, 2 assists), having assisted in both of their goals so far at the 2022 World Cup Overall, he has scored twice as many goals (22) for the United States as any other player on the team.
• Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead in their three group matches at this World Cup; the last player to score the opening goal in four separate matches at a single World Cup was David Villa for eventual winners Spain in 2010, while the only Dutch player to do so was Johan Neeskens in 1974 .
• Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has not lost any of his 10 World Cup games in charge (W7 D3), the most for a manager without ever losing in the competition. Only Felipe Scolari (12) and Mário Zagallo (11) have had longer unbeaten starts as managers in World Cup history.
• The United States have lost three of their four World Cup Round of 16 matches, only winning in 2002 against Mexico. They have lost all three of their knockout matches against European teams – 7-1 against Italy (1934), 1-0 against Germany (2002) and 2-1 against Belgium (2014).
• The Netherlands have reached at least the quarter-finals in four of their last five World Cup appearances, only failing to do so in 2006, losing 1-0 to Portugal in the round of 16 .
• The Netherlands are unbeaten in their 10 World Cup appearances under Louis van Gaal (W7 D3), keeping five clean sheets in their last six games in the final, including shutouts in each of their last three matches at direct elimination. The only team in World Cup history to keep four consecutive clean sheets in knockout matches was Spain en route to winning the tournament in 2010.
• The United States has not won a win in its last 11 World Cup games against European nations (D6 L5) since beating Portugal 3-2 in 2002. Overall, the United United have won just three of their 23 World Cup games against European teams (D7 L13), also beating Belgium. in 1930 and in England in 1950.
• The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 19 World Cup games against non-European nations (W13 D6) since a 3-2 loss to Brazil in the 1994 quarter-final. However, two of their six draws in that series saw them eliminated on penalties (against Brazil in 1998 and Argentina in 2014).
• The previous five meetings between the Netherlands and the United States have been in friendlies – Oranje won the first four between 1998 and 2010, with the United States winning the last encounter in 2015.

Watch the World Cup with talkSPORT

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In a huge covered room under the arches of Waterloo in London, we will bring you live screenings of every World Cup match.

There will be Q&A with talkSPORT talent, you’ll be part of our live shows and plenty of food and drink will be on offer too.

Come and have the best World Cup fan experience in London – and enjoy a complimentary pint – with tickets for all remaining matches on sale HERE!