After a cagey, scoreless opening 45 minutes, the game transformed into an end-to-end shootout. The deadlock was broken in the 51st minute when Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk rose to meet a cross, converting with a header that gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead. Ryan Gravenberch was instrumental in the build-up .
Japan's response was swift and clinical. Just six minutes later, in the 57th minute, Keito Nakamura leveled the score at 1-1 with a well-taken strike from the edge of the area that took a slight deflection on its way past Bart Verbruggen .
The Dutch, however, didn't take long to reassert themselves. In the 64th minute, Crysencio Summerville restored the Netherlands' advantage with a superb low finish, making it 2-1 and seemingly putting Ronald Koeman's side on track for three points .
With defeat looming for Japan, the decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute. From a Junya Ito corner, Koki Ogawa rose highest to flick the ball goalward. The ball then glanced off the unfortunate Daichi Kamada, wrong-footing Verbruggen and nestling into the net to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw and send the Japanese fans into raptures .
All four goals came in a frantic second half, marking a dramatic start to World Cup 2026 for both nations.
The draw leaves Group F in a precarious balance, with Sweden taking an early lead after demolishing Tunisia.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweden | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 3 |
| 2 | Japan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Tunisia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
Sweden's 5-1 victory over Tunisia on the same day puts them in pole position, while Japan's historic unbeaten run in group stage matches now extends to 17 games .
The road to the knockout stages is now a tightrope walk for both teams, with crucial fixtures ahead.
Netherlands' Remaining Matches
Japan's Remaining Matches
With Sweden leading the pack, both the Oranje and Samurai Blue face intense pressure to secure victories in their remaining fixtures to guarantee progression.