Netherlands and Japan settled for a point each after a dramatic 2-2 draw in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener at Dallas Stadium on Sunday.
The Dutch found themselves ahead twice, but were pegged back on both occasion, making it the first time they’ve failed to win a World Cup match when doing so in the history of the competition.
After a goalless first half, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, receiving a brilliant cross from Ryan Gravenberch before finishing with a superb header to make it 1-0.
Six minutes later, Japan leveled the score line through Keito Nakamura. The Reims star received a pass from Takefusa Kubo before firing a right-footed effort past Bart Verbruggen to make it 1-1.
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Just when the Asian side thought they could push for a comeback, Netherlands regained their lead. Gravenberch provided the assist once again, finding Crysencio Summerville on the edge of the Japan box. The West Ham forward then produced a wonderful curling finish into the bottom left corner, making it 2-1 in the 64th minute.
Just three minutes later, Kubo almost equalised with a stunning effort, but his shot went just over the crossbar and beyond for a goal-kick. As time went on, Japan continued to push for a leveler, producing waves of attack in search of a late goal.
In the 88th minute, Japan found a last-gasp equaliser, with Daichi Kamada netting a scrappy but crucial goal. The leveler came from Junya Ito’s corner, which found the head of Koki Ogawa. The substitute then nodded the ball onto the head of Kamada, before it flew past Verbruggen into the net, sealing a 2-2 draw.
The result means that both Japan and Netherlands will be on one point going into their second Group F fixtures. Japan will face Tunisia on Sunday, June 21 while Netherlands meet Sweden on Saturday, June 20.
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