Key facts
- Japan and the Netherlands drew 2-2 in their FIFA World Cup Group F opener.
- Virgil van Dijk scored for the Netherlands in the 51st minute.
- Keito Nakamura equalized for Japan in the 57th minute.
- Crysencio Summerville restored the Netherlands' lead shortly after.
- Daichi Kamada scored Japan's second equalizer in the 88th minute.
Japan and the Netherlands played to a 2-2 draw in their FIFA World Cup Group F opener in Arlington, Texas. After a goalless first half, the match saw a flurry of goals in the second half.
Virgil van Dijk gave the Netherlands the lead in the 51st minute with a header that ricocheted off the post. Japan equalized six minutes later when Keito Nakamura struck a right-footed shot from outside the box. The Netherlands, ranked No. 8 in the world, quickly restored their lead through Crysencio Summerville. However, Japan, ranked 18th, secured a draw in the 88th minute when Daichi Kamada's deflected header off a corner kick found the back of the net.
Both teams had won their last two World Cup openers prior to this match. Japan's goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made four saves in his debut, while Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made one save. The Netherlands dominated possession in the first half, holding 69% of the ball and outshooting Japan 5-3, with all three of their shots on target.