Japan denied Netherlands a winning start to their 2026 World Cup campaign with a late equaliser at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Daichi Kamada's 88th-minute finish cancelling out what had looked like a comfortable Dutch lead and leaving both sides to share a point apiece in Group F.
Netherlands were the more fluent side across the match, controlling 59 per cent of possession and completing 442 of their 499 passes, yet it was Japan who had the last word on the night. That statistic will sting Ronald Koeman's men, who had responded impressively to losing an early advantage and looked to have done enough.
The first half was goalless, both defences reasonably composed, though the Dutch kept the ball tidily in their 4-3-3 shape and Japan sat deliberately behind the ball in their 3-4-2-1. There was nothing to separate them at the break, but the second half told a richer story.
Netherlands opened the scoring six minutes after the restart. Ryan Gravenberch, who would finish the evening with two assists, supplied the delivery, and Virgil van Dijk met it to make it 1-0. For a centre-back of van Dijk's authority and stature, such interventions are almost routine, and the Dutch looked to be in control.
Japan answered inside six minutes. Takefusa Kubo turned provider, finding Keito Nakamura, who equalised on 57 minutes. The response was well organised rather than desperate, hinting at the resilience Hajime Moriyasu's side would show again before the final whistle.
The Dutch restored their lead within seven minutes. Gravenberch again supplied the assist, this time for Crysencio Summerville, who scored on 64 minutes to put Netherlands 2-1 ahead. Summerville had been direct and purposeful throughout, and the goal was a fair reflection of his contribution before he was withdrawn with twenty minutes remaining.
At that point, Netherlands appeared to be heading for three points. Japan, reduced to chasing the game from a position of one goal down, had work to do. They found what they needed deep into the second half. Koki Ogawa, introduced from the bench, provided the assist, and Kamada finished on 88 minutes to earn Japan an equaliser they will feel was thoroughly merited. Suzuki had made four saves in the Japanese goal; his side had earned their share of the draw.
The final numbers are honest. Both teams managed ten shots, though Netherlands kept all of theirs inside the box while Japan attempted four from range. The Dutch registered six shots on target to Japan's three, yet Suzuki's interventions kept the margin tight enough for Kamada to exploit. Netherlands' expected goals figure of 0.70 against an actual return of two goals tells you they made their chances count when it mattered, and then did not manage the final minutes with the same conviction.
Gravenberch's evening stands out. Two assists in 81 minutes, both for goals from different moments of the match, made him the single most influential player on the pitch. Summerville's goal and general energy alongside him were the best things about the Dutch attack. For Japan, Nakamura and Kamada each scored, and Suzuki was excellent behind them.
Group F starts with both sides on one point. Sweden and Tunisia, yet to play, can leapfrog either or both depending on their opening fixture. Netherlands and Japan know they cannot afford to stand still.