Japan draw with the Netherlands after an exciting match at the World Cup

Japan scored a late goal to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands in one of the best matches of the 2026 World Cup. Ronald Koeman's side took the lead when Virgil van Dijk headed the ball home from a cross in the second half, but Keito Nakamura equalized with a long-range shot six minutes later. The Netherlands took the lead again after a beautiful goal by Crysencio Summerville, but Japan did not give up and in the 88th minute Daichi Kamada converted a corner kick, directing the ball into the net after a rebound from Koki Ogawa. This match was one of the most interesting moments of the World Cup so far, with fans' hearts shaking until the last minutes. This match was also a clash of different styles - Japan presented a game similar to the famous "total football" of the Netherlands, even though Koeman's current team plays slightly differently. Both teams had their moments of dominance in the match, which made the result uncertain until the end.  Vigil van Dijk, one of the Netherlands' key players, scored his first goal at a major international tournament, underlining the importance of his presence in the team. On the other hand, Japan, despite personnel problems, showed its strength and ability to play at the highest level, which makes it a potential dark horse of the tournament. This match showed that even with the number of teams expanded to 48, the World Cup can provide emotions and matches at the highest level. --- ## Related Articles 1. [Niederlande gibt Sieg gegen Japan bei WM-Start in der Schlussphase aus der Hand](https://mannschaftgoal.com/de/news/niederlande-gibt-sieg-gegen-japan-bei-wm-start-in-der-schlussphase-aus-der-hand) 2. [World Cup 2026](https://onzeactu.com/fr/news/journee-de-match-koeman-reserve-t-il-encore-une-surprise-pour-lequipe-des-pays-bas)