Daichi Kamada and Japan looked destined to open their World Cup campaign with a defeat, a result few would have questioned against a formidable Dutch side.
Instead, Kamada delivered a moment that could become part of Japanese football folklore, especially if the Samurai Blue ride this result into another run to the round of 16.
The midfielder struck in the 88th minute when Koki Ogawa's header glanced off him and into the net, sparking wild celebrations among Japan supporters and securing a dramatic 2-2 draw against the higher-ranked Netherlands on Sunday.
The result stretched the Dutch unbeaten run in World Cup group-stage matches to 17 games, but it felt little like a victory. Oranje fans were left stunned by Japan's late equalizer as the Netherlands' group-stage record moved to 21 wins, two losses and 11 draws.
"Our players managed to be tenacious but at the same time be patient and just keep calm and find and seize an opportunity," Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said through an interpreter. His team reached the round of 16 for the fourth time in 2022 in Qatar.
Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville scored off opposite posts for the Netherlands early in the second half, while Keito Nakamura scored between those goals as part of a three-goal flurry in just 14 minutes.
A mostly uneventful first half changed quickly after the break for a crowd evenly split at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The retractable roof offered relief from the muggy Texas heat, while the giant video board proved difficult for fans to ignore.
Summerville gave the eighth-ranked Dutch the lead in the 64th minute, and Japan was running out of hope until Ogawa's perfectly timed header off a corner kick. The ball glanced off Kamada's head and past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who got his hands on it with a sprawling dive but couldn't keep it out.
Van Dijk sent a header toward the far post in the 50th minute, bending forward from inside the penalty area and keeping his eyes fixed on the ball as it caromed in for the Dutch captain's 13th international goal.
Nakamura answered seven minutes later for 18th-ranked Japan, turning and rifling a shot past Verbruggen from the left side of the arc after taking a pass from Takefusa Kubo.
Another seven minutes later, Summerville took a pass from Ryan Gravenberch and sent a left-footed shot toward the far post beyond Zion Suzuki, where it caromed in.
"It's disappointing now because obviously conceding the lead is never good," said Van Dijk, who at 34 years, 341 days became the second-oldest Dutch player to score at a World Cup, behind Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was 35 years, 151 days old when he scored against Uruguay in 2010. "It's extra disappointing that we conceded from a set piece so late on."
The Dutch most recently lost a World Cup match before the knockout stage when the tournament was last held in the United States in 1994. That group-stage defeat was followed by a quarterfinal loss to Brazil at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
The pressure is always on the Netherlands to reach the knockout stage, in part because it is the only country to have reached three World Cup finals without winning the tournament.
A draw to open Group F, which also includes Sweden and Tunisia, won't ease that pressure on coach Ronald Koeman, who faced several pointed questions about strategy and responded with cryptic answers.
The Dutch beat Japan in their only previous World Cup meeting in 2010.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't win, but that's because we were ahead twice," Koeman said through an interpreter. "Many people underestimated Japan, but for the 100,000th time, if you underestimate them, that's your problem. You think Japan's strength was exaggerated before the match? Let's wait until the end of the tournament to see who's right."
The Netherlands play Sweden on Saturday in Houston, while Japan travel to Monterrey, Mexico, to face Tunisia the same day.
Read the full article at Daily Sabah →📄Source document: FIFA World Cup Results→8 reports
CartaCapitalIndependentCenter6 days agoThe first round of Group F at the World Cup featured high-scoring matches, with Sweden defeating Tunisia 5-1 and the Netherlands drawing 2-2 with Japan. The Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk and Japan's Keito Nakamura scored early goals, while Crysencio Summerville and Daichi Kamada added late goals to keep the match level. Sweden's Yasin Ayari, who has Tunisian heritage, scored twice against his family's homeland but celebrated modestly.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a straightforward account of sports events without taking a stance or using biased language. It focuses on game outcomes, player performances, and notable moments without editorializing or favoring any team or nation politically.
Daily SabahParty-alignedCenter6 days agoJapan and the Netherlands drew 2-2 in their World Cup match. Daichi Kamada scored a late goal for Japan in the 88th minute, equalizing after the Netherlands had taken the lead twice. The match featured three goals in 14 minutes, with Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville scoring for the Netherlands and Keito Nakamura scoring for Japan.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports match without taking a stance on any political issue. It focuses on the game events, player performances, and quotes from coaches without any ideological framing or biased language.
NBC NewsIndependentCenter6 days agoThe article covers multiple matches from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, focusing on Sweden's 4-0 victory over Tunisia, with highlights including goals by Mattias Svanberg, Viktor Gyökeres, and Yasin Ayari. Other segments discuss Ecuador's loss to Ivory Coast, Germany's historic win against Curacao, and Japan's performance. The content includes player interviews and expert analyses.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual reporting on sports events without evident political framing, bias, or ideological emphasis. It focuses on match outcomes, player performances, and expert commentary without taking a stance on political issues.
Times of IndiaIndependentCenter6 days agoSweden defeated Tunisia 5-1 in their FIFA World Cup Group F opener, with Yasin Ayari scoring two goals. Sweden took an early lead and maintained dominance throughout the match, while Tunisia scored a late goal to reduce the deficit.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports match with no overt political commentary, framing, or bias. It reports on the game's events without taking a stance or emphasizing any political implications.
Magyar NemzetParty-alignedCenter6 days agoThe article reports on the first round of Group F at the FIFA World Cup, focusing on Sweden's 5-1 victory over Tunisia. It mentions goals by Ayari, Isak, Gyökeres, Svanberg, and Rekik. Additionally, it notes the draw between the Netherlands and Japan with goals by Van Dijk, Summerville, Nakamura, and Kamada.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual results and goal scorers without any apparent ideological framing or biased language. The content is purely sports-related and does not involve political commentary or controversy.
TheJournal.ieIndependentCenter6 days agoJapan and the Netherlands played to a 2-2 draw in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup in Texas. The Netherlands took an early lead through Virgil van Dijk, but Japan responded quickly with a goal from Keito Nakamura. The Dutch regained the advantage with a goal from Crysencio Summerville, but Japan equalized late in the 88th minute thanks to a deflected shot by Daichi Kamada. Both teams missed key players due to injuries, but the match was considered one of the more exciting fixtures in the group stage.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral account of a sports match without taking a stance on any political issue. It focuses solely on the game events, player performances, and team dynamics, avoiding any ideological or political commentary.
France 24 (English)State / PublicCenter6 days agoJapan scored an 88th-minute equalizer against the Netherlands in their opening World Cup 2026 match, resulting in a 2-2 draw. The Netherlands initially led with a header from Virgil van Dijk, but Japan responded quickly with goals from Keito Nakamura and Crysencio Summerville. Daichi Kamada scored the final goal for Japan following a deflection. Both teams are considered dark horses in the tournament, though the Netherlands have more World Cup experience.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced account of the match without showing favoritism toward either team. It reports on the events of the game neutrally, including scoring details and player performances, without using biased language or emphasizing one side over the other.
RzeczpospolitaIndependentCenter7 days agoOn the fourth day of the World Cup, teams in groups E and F begin their matches. Sweden will face Tunisia in their opening match, while the Netherlands, which previously faced Poland in qualifying rounds, will play against Japan. Curacao will make its debut in World Cup history by facing Germany.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the World Cup schedule without any political commentary, bias, or subjective language. It focuses solely on sports events and does not involve political figures, policies, or contentious issues.
