Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki eyes the ball during the World Cup Group F soccer match between the Netherlands and Japan in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Jessica Tobias/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Jessica Tobias/AP
ARLINGTON, Texas — In a thrilling World Cup opener on Sunday, Daichi Kamada’s header from Koki Ogawa’s corner in the 88th minute secured Japan a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, sending the Samurai Blue fans into jubilation.
While the Dutch extended their undefeated streak to 17 games in group play, their supporters were left in disbelief by the last-minute equalizer, leaving them with a 21-2-11 record in group stage matches.
Early in the second half, Virgil Van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville each found the net for the Netherlands, while Keito Nakamura’s goal for Japan came amidst a rapid three-goal exchange within 14 minutes.
After a quiet first half, the game at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, came alive. The retractable roof provided relief from the Texas heat, and the large video board captivated the crowd, which was evenly split between supporters of both teams.
Summerville gave the eighth-ranked Dutch the lead in the 64th minute. But just when hope seemed to be fading, Ogawa’s corner found Kamada, who expertly directed the ball past Bart Verbruggen, despite his diving attempt to save it.
Van Dijk’s header in the 50th minute from inside the penalty area marked his 13th international goal. Seven minutes later, Nakamura scored for Japan with a shot from the left side after receiving a pass from Takefusa Kubo.
Just seven minutes later, Summerville again scored for the Netherlands with a left-footed shot, assisted by Ryan Gravenberch, which deflected in past Zion Suzuki.
The Dutch’s last loss before the elimination rounds was at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where they lost a group match followed by a quarterfinal defeat to Brazil at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
In Group F, the Netherlands will face Sweden on Saturday in Houston, while Japan will travel to Monterrey, Mexico to play against Tunisia on the same day.
___
This story has been corrected to indicate the Dutch have extended their unbeaten streak to 17 games, not 16.
___
