Inter wingback Denzel Dumfries has admitted that his display in the Netherlands’ 3-1 win over the USA at the World Cup yesterday was one of the best of his career.
The 26-year-old stole the show in the first knockout round match in Qatar as he provided two assists and scored a goal of his own, setting up a quarter-final showdown against Argentina on Friday.
In an interview published in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Dumfries spoke of his pleasure at playing in a wingback role for the Netherlands in a similar way to that at Inter, and also of his demeanour on the pitch after his excellent display.
“I never laugh on the pitch, it’s true, but today the emotions were so strong that we almost missed it, and off the pitch I laugh a lot,” Dumfries declared.
“It was probably the best match of my life and certainly of this tournament.
“I am very satisfied with the performance and it certainly helps me to play in a system similar to that at Inter”, he added.
After catching the eye, Dumfries also revealed that he had been in touch with former and current Inter teammates, and insisted that Nerazzurri striker Romelu Lukaku would return to form and fitness after a miserable World Cup campaign.
“I spoke with my teammates recently. (Ivan) Perisic just sent me a message, and I was very pleased. Maybe I’ll face Lautaro (Martinez) in the next round,” Dumfries suggested, ahead of Argentina’s victory over Australia.
“I’m very sorry for Romelu, he’s a great striker, he was unlucky, but we know his qualities well. He’s just come back from the injury, but he’ll soon start scoring again.
“Criticism annoys me, but I always try to do my best and look forward,” he concluded.
