World Cup 2026: Japan Fight Back Twice to Earn 2-2 Draw Against Netherlands

In the opening match of Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Netherlands were held to a 2-2 draw by Japan.

The Dutch side created several dangerous chances through Donyell Malen in the first half, while Japan failed to register a shot on target. However, neither team managed to break the deadlock before the interval.

The second half produced four goals. Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring with a header, only for Keito Nakamura to equalize shortly afterward with a deflected low strike. Crysencio Summerville restored the Netherlands' lead in the 64th minute with a superb curling effort, but Japan found a dramatic late equalizer in the 88th minute when Koki Ogawa's header rebounded off Daichi Kamada and into the net.


Key Moments
51' – Goal!
Van Dijk's header struck the post and bounced into the net, giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead over Japan.
57' – Goal!
Japan level the score! Nakamura's low shot from the edge of the penalty area took a deflection and found the back of the net. Netherlands 1-1 Japan.
64' – Goal!
The Netherlands regain the lead! Summerville curls a brilliant effort into the top corner to make it 2-1.
88' – Goal!
Late drama! Ogawa's header deflects off Kamada and into the net as Japan equalize at 2-2.



Netherlands Starting XI
Bart Verbruggen
Virgil van Dijk
Denzel Dumfries
Jan Paul van Hecke
Micky van de Ven
Frenkie de Jong
Tijjani Reijnders (70' Q. Timber)
Ryan Gravenberch (81' Nathan Aké)
Donyell Malen (70' Memphis Depay)
Cody Gakpo (85' Brian Brobbey)
Crysencio Summerville (70' Teun Koopmeiners)
Netherlands Substitutes
Mark Flekken, Roefs, Nathan Aké, Lutsharel Geertruida, Mats Wieffer, Jorrel Hato, Marten de Roon, Teun Koopmeiners, Guus Til, Quinten Timber, Memphis Depay, Wout Weghorst, Justin Kluivert, Noa Lang, Brian Brobbey.

Japan Starting XI
Zion Suzuki
Shogo Taniguchi
Hiroki Ito
Tsuyoshi Watanabe (75' Takehiro Tomiyasu)
Ritsu Doan (75' Yukinari Sugawara)
Daichi Kamada
Kaishu Sano
Takefusa Kubo (75' Koki Ogawa)
Keito Nakamura
Daizen Maeda (66' Junya Ito)
Ayase Ueda (84' Kento Shiogai)
Japan Substitutes
Keisuke Osako, Tomoki Hayakawa, Yuto Nagatomo, Ko Itakura, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki, Ao Tanaka, Yuito Suzuki, Junya Ito, Koki Ogawa, Shuto Machino, Keisuke Goto, Kento Shiogai.