Japan deny Netherlands a double-header in World Cup opener | World Cup 2026 news

Asia’s two-time best team, Japan, came from behind to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands in their Group F opener.

Japan scored in the 88th minute as they struck twice to salvage a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in front of 69,285 in Texas to open their World Cup campaign.

The games that flooded the first half revived the second half on Sunday.

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk scored with a fine header, only for Keito Nakamura to head home early, before Crysencio Summerville’s winner curled into the bottom corner after an hour.

The Dutch looked set to hold on, but Japan fought back at the death and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada celebrated the goal after a deflection.

Sweden face Tunisia in what looks to be a competitive Group F on Sunday.

Japan and the Netherlands in North America are missing key players due to injury, but on paper it’s still one of the best looking games in the group.

Both have been identified as dark horses capable of going far in the competition – the Dutch have been to the final three times while Japan have never made it past the last 16.

The Netherlands started strongly and almost took the lead three minutes later, when Donyell Malen let loose inside the box and forced a smart save from Zion Suzuki.

The impressive air-conditioned stadium is usually home to the Dallas Cowboys, and during halftime the NFL team’s cheerleaders were shown on a large screen hanging over the field performing one of their acts.

The stoppage seemed to have helped Ronald Koeman’s team and Roma striker Malen again used Suzuki with a header from a corner, then Cody Gakpo shot over the bar.

The Japanese fans, who didn’t stop singing and cheering for the Dutch team, fell silent.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side’s first chance came minutes before the break when a cross bounced off the back of Summerville but Nakamura pulled his effort low.

The Dutch looked more dangerous in the air, so it was no surprise when Liverpool talisman Van Dijk stepped up to slot a header into the bottom corner after Ryan Gravenberch’s cross in the 51st minute.

The lead lasted just six minutes, Nakamura curling a shot past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, the ball deflecting just wide of Jan Paul van Hecke.

In stoppage time, the Dutch took the lead again on 64 minutes when West Ham’s Summerville beat his man down the right wing and headed into Suzuki’s right corner with his left foot.

Both teams made changes and had chances to score again, with Kamada headed over for a corner.