Malacia's nation reach World Cup quarter-finals

While Malacia watched as one of the Netherlands' unused substitutes, ex-Reds winger Memphis opened the scoring in their 3-1 win over the USA with a clinical 10th-minute strike to round off a wonderful passing move.

Then, after repelling various American attempts to find an equaliser, the Dutch doubled their lead in first-half injury time, when our former defender Daley Blind arrived in the box to bury a low pull-back beyond goalkeeper Matt Turner.

After trailing 2-0 at the break, the Americans reduced the deficit in the 76th minute when Haji Wright's flick from a low cross by Christian Pulisic looped over Andries Noppert.

If the Dutch were suddenly under pressure, they alleviated that just five minutes later as Blind whipped in a brilliant delivery from the left and Denzel Dumfries powered home a half-volley.

That was where the scoring in another pulsating World Cup tie ended and although former United manager Louis van Gaal brought on several substitutes, Reds defender Malacia remained on the bench for the fourth consecutive game.

The Netherlands can now look forward to a last-eight tie against the winners of Saturday's later game between Lisandro Martinez's Argentina and Australia (kick-off 19:00 GMT).