Netherlands

It's Been 8 Years To The Day Since Robin Van Persie Took Flight At The World Cup

It's a little unsettling and depressing to think that, were things running as usual on the international calendar, we'd be at the start of the month-long carnival that is the World Cup. 

June 13 has marked some unforgettable World Cup moments in the past, but none more so than what transpired eight years ago on this day at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil.

No. 2 In The World Belgium Gets Embarrassed By Dutch At Home 4-1

BRUSSELS — Memphis Depay scored a double as the Netherlands ended 25 years without success against neighbors Belgium with a 4-1 thumping of their hosts in the Nations League in Brussels on Friday.

Steven Bergwijn and Denzel Dumfries netted the other two goals as the Dutch ended Belgium’s almost six-year unbeaten home record in a stark reversal for the team, who had topped the FIFA rankings for three years until being recently deposed.

Van Gaal Quiere Que El Toro Janssen Disfrute Su Noche De Bodas Antes De Jugar Por Países Bajos

Vincent Janssen fue convocado recientemente para los próximos duelos de los Países Bajos en la UEFA Nations League. El delantero del Monterrey, sin embargo, se perderá el primero de los encuentros ante Bélgica porque la fecha coincide con la de su boda.

El Toro se comprometió con su novia Talia hace más de un año y de seguro no esperaba el llamado del seleccionador neerlandés Louis van Gaal. Considerando su bajo rendimiento – apenas un gol en 17 partidos en la última fase regular del Clausura 2022 –, la convocatoria también sorprendió a los medios de ambos países.

What’s In A Name? The Giovanni In Gio Reyna

Names in and of themselves are not all that interesting. It’s the meaning behind a name, bestowed upon a child at birth, that makes it special. When Giovanni Alejandro Reyna was born in Sunderland, England, to a pair of U.S. soccer players in 2002, the future Borussia Dortmund star was given a name that proved prophetic for his footballing prowess. 

The Best World Cup Jerseys Through The Years

The World Cup began in 1930 and we've gotten some great international kits since the competition began.

Here is a list of some of our favorite.

Did yours make the list? Who do you think has the best international kit?

Here’s How The USMNT Ended Up In Its World Cup Pot For The Draw

Editor’s Note: This story on what pot is USMNT in for World Cup 2022 draw has been updated on March 31 to reflect the latest data.

Heading into the final week of World Cup qualifying before the all-important World Cup draw, the USMNT had a chance to play its way into the coveted Pot 1. Because of its results — and others around the world — the U.S. will not be in Pot 1. But the Americans did just enough to qualify for the World Cup, and now they can look forward to being placed in Pot 2 for the World Cup draw on Friday, April 1. 

Goalscoring Christian Eriksen Enjoys ‘Perfect’ Denmark Return After Heart Attack At Euros

Christian Eriksen said he made his return to international football in the "perfect way" by scoring two minutes after coming on for Denmark on Saturday following a near-fatal heart attack last year.

Denmark lost 4-2 to the Netherlands in the international friendly, with Eriksen producing a stunning finish into the top corner in the 47th minute after he came on as a half-time substitute.

Louis Van Gaal Calls Qatar World Cup ‘Bullshit’ And Goes Off On FIFA

With its spot in the World Cup already clinched, the Netherlands is using the March international window for a pair of friendlies against Denmark and Germany in Amsterdam. 

While Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay were arriving at the KNVB Campus in Zeist on Monday, 70-year-old manager Louis van Gaal was giving a customarily unfiltered press conference on player selection, his choice for national team successor and the prospect of a World Cup in Qatar. 

Van Gaal didn't hold back when asked to discuss the host nation.

From Kepa To Krul: A History Of Goalkeepers Subbed In For Penalty Kick Shootouts

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel's decision to bring on Kepa Arrizbalaga late in the 2022 EFL Cup Final was not unprecedented — both for Chelsea and the footballing world. Kepa had replaced Mendy in the waning moments of extra time in the UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal earlier in the year, saving two penalties in Chelsea's shootout victory.

In fact, the Spaniard is an above-average keeper in his career when it comes to saving penalties. 

No Coach, No Crowd, No Problem: Netherlands Redeem Team Clinches World Cup Spot

There was every reason for Dutch stress on Tuesday evening: The ghost of the failed 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign; Saturday’s calamitous draw with 73rd-ranked Montenegro despite leading 2-0 with less than 10 minutes to play; Louis van Gaal’s bike accident on Sunday and fractured hip, forcing him to watch this key clash against Norway from a wheelchair in a box seat; an empty De Kuip in Rotterdam after the country entered a three-week lockdown period with Covid-19 cases soaring.   

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