Monday June 15, 2026
Ueda Ayase (2nd L) of Japan vies with Virgil van Dijk (2nd R) of the Netherlands during the group F match between the Netherlands and Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Dallas Stadium in Dallas, the United States, on June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
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Japan refused to buckle in Dallas, twice clawing its way back to earn a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in its opening Group F fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
The Dutch controlled much of the first half and carved out the clearer chances, with Donyell Malen going close on two occasions to opening the scoring. Even so, Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki stood firm, producing two crucial stops to keep the match level.
Japan, for its part, stayed compact at the back and carried a threat on the break. By the end of the first half, Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda had both tested the Dutch defense as the Asian side settled into the contest.
The deadlock was broken five minutes after the interval. After a recycled free kick, Ryan Gravenberch floated a cross in from the right and an unmarked Virgil van Dijk rose to head past Suzuki, giving the Netherlands the lead.
Japan hit back seven minutes later. Takefusa Kubo drove into the penalty area and cut the ball back for Nakamura, who took two touches before sending a finish beyond Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The Netherlands moved back in front in the 64th minute. Gravenberch, involved again, set up Crysencio Summerville, whose curling left-footed strike from the edge of the box found the net to make it 2-1.
Japan, however, would not let the game slip away. With two minutes remaining in normal time, a corner from the right was first met by Koki Ogawa, and the ball then deflected off Daichi Kamada and past Verbruggen to complete a dramatic comeback and secure the draw.
The point leaves both sides with one in Group F, which also includes Tunisia and Sweden.
