Japan snatch dramatic late draw against Netherlands in World Cup thriller
Netherlands and Japan played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in their Group F opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Daichi Kamada scoring a late equaliser to deny the Dutch victory.
After a quiet first half in Arlington, the match burst into life after the break. Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring in the 50th minute before Japan responded through Keito Nakamura just seven minutes later following a well-worked attacking move.
The Netherlands regained the lead when Crysencio Summerville found the net in the 71st minute, seemingly putting Ronald Koeman’s side on course for all three points.
However, Japan refused to back down, and Kamada rose to head home an 88th-minute equaliser from a Koki Ogawa corner to secure a valuable point for the Samurai Blue.
The result leaves Group F finely balanced, with both teams showing attacking quality ahead of their upcoming fixtures. Japan next face Tunisia, while the Netherlands will take on Sweden in their second group-stage matches.
Before kickoff, the Dutch entered the tournament under growing pressure to finally win their first World Cup title, having finished runners-up three times in history. Coach Ronald Koeman had warned against underestimating Japan, describing them as a technically strong and physically demanding side.
