The 2026 World Cup delivered its first genuine classic on Sunday afternoon. The Netherlands and Japan played out a breathless 2-2 draw at AT&T Stadium in Dallas — four goals in the second half, two lead changes, and a late equaliser that shook one of the most dramatic stadiums of the tournament. Daichi Kamada's 88th-minute header, bundled home off a Koki Ogawa flick from a Junya Ito corner, denied Ronald Koeman's side what would have been a winning start and leaves Group F wide open after matchday one.
THE FIRST HALF
A tense, tactical opening 45 minutes produced little by way of clear chances. The Netherlands dominated possession at 60 percent but Japan were comfortable sitting deep in their 3-4-2-1 shape, content to absorb pressure and hit on the counter. Donyell Malen was the biggest Dutch threat, forcing Zion Suzuki into three saves before the break. Japan's Ayase Ueda had one moment of quality — a sharp turn and shot that Verbruggen pushed wide. The half ended goalless.
THE GOALS
The game exploded into life after the restart. Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, powering home a precise Ryan Gravenberch cross with a trademark header from eight yards — his fifth international goal in major tournament football. Gravenberch was magnificent throughout, setting up both Dutch goals and covering every blade of grass in the Dallas heat.
Japan responded almost immediately. Keito Nakamura received the ball on the edge of the Dutch penalty area in the 57th minute, took one touch and struck — the ball deflected off Matthijs de Ligt's heel and looped into the bottom corner, wrong-footing Verbruggen completely. A fortunate finish — but no less valid.
The Netherlands restored the lead in the 64th minute through Crysencio Summerville. Gravenberch again the provider — playing a perfectly-timed pass to Summerville on the left edge of the box. The West Ham winger cut inside and curled a brilliant strike past Suzuki into the far post. A goal of real quality. Netherlands 2-1. Koeman's side looked home and dry.
They were not. Japan's persistence was rewarded in the 88th minute. Junya Ito whipped in a corner from the right. Koki Ogawa — just on as a substitute — got the first contact, flicking it on at the near post. Daichi Kamada, arriving at the back post, had no idea — the ball glanced off his head and flew into the roof of the net past a diving Verbruggen. Pandemonium. Kamada did not know what had happened. Neither did the Netherlands. Van de Ven, furious, received a yellow card in stoppage time for a reckless challenge. Koopmeiners had a shot in the 90+3rd that flew over. Full time: 2-2.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT
This was the World Cup at its finest — two tactically distinct teams producing a match that had everything. Japan were content to play second fiddle positionally but never stopped believing. Netherlands were the better side for long periods — their xG of 1.79 versus Japan's 0.54 tells the story of their dominance — but their failure to kill the game left the door open. Gravenberch was the player of the match without question. Summerville's goal was the moment of the game.
LINEUPS
Netherlands (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van de Ven, Ake; Gravenberch, De Jong, Reijnders; Summerville, Gakpo, Malen. Subs: Depay (for Malen 70'), Brobbey (for Gakpo 85'), Koopmeiners (for Reijnders 81').
Japan (3-4-2-1): Suzuki; Itakura, Yoshida, Machino; Sugawara, Endo, Morita, Doan; Nakamura, Kubo; Ueda. Subs: Ogawa (for Kubo 75'), Kamada (for Ueda 75'), Shiogai (for Ueda 84').
THE NUMBERS
Netherlands: 59.8% possession, 10 shots, 6 on target, xG 1.79. Japan: 40.2% possession, 10 shots, 3 on target, xG 0.54. Gravenberch: 2 assists, 89 passes completed, 11 ball recoveries. Verbruggen: 1 save (could not stop Kamada's deflection). Suzuki: 4 saves. Three yellow cards for Netherlands, none for Japan.
WHAT IT MEANS
Both teams take one point from Group F matchday one. Netherlands face Sweden next. Japan face Tunisia. Xavi Simons — the biggest Dutch absentee — was absent through the ACL injury he suffered at Tottenham in April. Without him, the Dutch lacked a creative spark in the final third that Gravenberch's box-to-box energy could only partially compensate for. Japan once again prove they are one of the most tactically organised sides in the world — and Kamada's goal will live long in the tournament's memory.