Dest impresses Vriends as USA reach knockout phase with 2-0 win over Australia

Sergiño Dest earned praise from Bart Vriends during the first half of the United States' 2-0 win over Australia. Ricardo Pepi, the other PSV Eindhoven player on the field, struggled to make an impact.

Vriends, speaking to after the match, highlighted Dest's performance. "Yes, enormously. I saw him make that move against Arsenal in the Champions League. It went viral then. I see him doing these kinds of things again," the central defender said. He described Dest as "a fun player to watch. Frivolous, purposeful, but he also dares to show off a little."

Kenneth Perez echoed Vriends' positive remarks but criticized Pepi's contribution. The striker, deployed as a left winger, failed to deliver. "Tillman, Dest, McKennie—technically they are far better than the Australians," Perez began. "They have control of the ball. I barely saw Pepi. It was Balogun who drifted left and looked for depth. Pepi just waited around," he observed.

The victory secured the United States' progression to the knockout stage of the World Cup. At halftime, the United States held a comfortable 2-0 lead.

The latest Studio Oranje coverage of the Dutch national team, Curaçao, and World Cup debutant Deveron Fonville is available now.