The Netherlands were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Japan in an entertaining Group F opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the Blue Samurai twice came from behind to earn a deserved point.
Both sides entered the match in good form, with the Dutch hoping to continue their impressive record in World Cup group stages and Japan looking to extend an unbeaten streak that had seen them emerge as one of the tournament’s dark horses.
The Oranje made the brighter start, with Donyell Malen testing goalkeeper Zion Suzuki early after being set up by Cody Gakpo. Japan soon responded through Daizen Maeda, whose effort was brilliantly blocked by Jan Paul van Hecke.
Despite the chances at both ends, neither side could find a breakthrough before halftime, although Japan came close through Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda.
The deadlock was finally broken six minutes into the second half. After a free-kick was only partially cleared, Ryan Gravenberch whipped in a pinpoint cross for Virgil van Dijk, who powered a header in off the post to put the Netherlands ahead.
Japan responded almost immediately. Just six minutes later, Keito Nakamura latched onto a pass from Takefusa Kubo and fired a deflected effort past Bart Verbruggen to make it 1-1.
The game continued to swing from end to end, and the Dutch regained the lead thanks to Crysencio Summerville, who marked his debut at a major tournament with a superb left-footed strike into the far corner.
However, Japan refused to give up. With the clock ticking towards full time, Junya Ito delivered a corner in the 89th minute that was met by Koki Ogawa, with the ball taking a touch off Daichi Kamada before flying into the net for a dramatic equaliser.
The result extends the Netherlands’ unbeaten run in World Cup group-stage matches to 17 games, though Ronald Koeman’s men will be disappointed to have surrendered the lead twice.
For Japan, the comeback underlined their growing reputation as one of the tournament’s most resilient sides, with Hajime Moriyasu’s team showing once again that they are capable of competing with football’s elite.
