Japan, Asia’s most successful team, drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in the opening game of Group F, and achieved two come-from-behind victories.
Published June 14, 2026
Japan fought back twice to salvage a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in front of a crowd of 69,285 in Texas, scoring the equalizing goal in the 88th minute to open the World Cup.
The game, which was exciting in the first period, came alive in the second half Sunday.
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Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk scored with a superb header, but Keito Nakamura equalized soon after, and winger Crisencio Somerville curled a superb curl into the bottom corner shortly after the end.
It looked like the Netherlands would hold out, but Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamata scored from a deflection, allowing Japan to equalize.
Sweden will play Tunisia in competitive Group F later on Sunday.
The North American match between Japan and the Netherlands was without key players due to injury, but on paper it was still one of the most fascinating games of the group stage.
Both teams are touted as dark horses capable of competing in this tournament, with the Netherlands having finished as runners-up three times, while Japan has never advanced beyond the last 16.
The Netherlands started confidently and almost took the lead after three minutes when Donyell Malen allowed a shot inside the box, but Zion Suzuki was forced into a smart save.
The impressive, air-conditioned arena is normally home to the Dallas Cowboys, and during a hydration break, the NFL team’s cheerleaders were shown performing one of their routines on a giant screen suspended above the field.
The stoppage appeared to help Ronald Koeman’s side, as Roma forward Malen again headed Suzuki from a corner, and Kodi Gakpo’s powerful effort went over the bar.
The Japanese fans, who hardly stopped singing and outnumbered the Dutch national team, were silent for a while.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu’s side had their first chance minutes before the break, when a cross evaded the attacking Somerville, but Nakamura sent a low shot just wide of the target.
The Netherlands were most threatening in the air, so it was no surprise that Liverpool keeper Van Dijk rose to the occasion in the 51st minute after receiving a pinpoint cross from his club teammate Ryan Gravenbirch and perfectly placed his header into the bottom corner.
The lead lasted just six minutes when Nakamura wriggled free and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Bad Verbruggen, and the ball deflected just off Jan Paul van Hecke.
In a chaotic display, the Dutch pushed forward again in the 64th minute when West Ham’s Somerville beat his opponent down the right and curled his left foot into Suzuki’s bottom right corner.
Both teams sounded the change and had another chance to score before Kamata unleashed a chaotic equalizer from a corner.
