The Japan national football team participated in its first World Cup match on Sunday, taking on Group F opponent Virgil van Dijk and the Netherlands national team at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
After ending the first half at 0-0, it became a much more entertaining second half, as Japan was able to tie things twice and prevent the Netherlands from winning.
The teams traded goals and ultimately ended a 2-2 draw to begin their FIFA World Cup, and as Japan's fans do at their team's games, they collected their own trash to dispose of after the game ended.
They also received an assist from New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston , who was at the stadium as a special correspondent, and showed why he's become such a popular sports celebrity.
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Winston, a backup for the Giants behind starter Jaxson Dart, appeared in a video from Fox Sports that showed him collecting trash in the stadium, further boosting his popularity with fans worldwide.
"Shoutout to our FIFA World Cup correspondent @Jaboowins and all the Japan fans cleaning up their trash at Dallas Stadium," Fox Sports wrote.
"Giants have the greatest guy humanly on their team. Protect this man at all costs," a fan replied on the video.
ESPN FC's X photo post received over 73,000 likes and 1,300-plus comments from various individuals sharing their reactions to the Japanese fans' actions after their team's World Cup match.
"Class will always be permanent. No matter what the scoreline is on the pitch, Japan fans win off it every single tournament. Huge respect," one commenter wrote.
"They always do this every World Cup or any world tournament they participate. Amazing souls," one X commenter said.
"Win, lose, or draw, Japan's fans never forget to leave the stadium better than they found it. Class," another commenter said.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Virgil van Djik getting Netherlands' first goal at the 51-minute mark of the second half. Only six minutes later, Japan's Keito Nakamura answered to tie it, 1-1.
The Netherlands would strike six minutes after that when Crysencio Summerville found the net to give his country the lead. From there, it felt like Japan might suffer an opening defeat, but a header from Koki Ogawa deflected off Daichi Kamada 89 minutes in to tie it.
Both teams left with one point to start their Group F matches. The next match for this group was scheduled for Sunday night, as Sweden and Tunisia would battle on the pitch in Guadalupe, Mexico.
Meanwhile, Winston seems to be enjoying his Giants offseason after OTA offseason workouts. His team returns for training camp in late July, with their preseason beginning Aug. 15 against the Minnesota Vikings.
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