World Cup 2026: Japan draws crucial 2-2 draw against Netherlands
After a 0-0 first half, the action exploded in the second 45 minutes — the match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
The clash of the top two teams in Group F lived up to expectations: a thrilling 2-2 draw between Japan and the Netherlands. The game remained scoreless in the first half as Japan's notoriously tenacious defense kept the Netherlands from going deep into attack. Although the Dutch had more possession, only a few good chances were scored and some impressive saves by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki kept it 0-0 going into halftime.
The game broke out in the second period. In the 51st minute, the Oranje broke the trap: after a free kick was well defended, Ryan Gravenberch sent a long ball from the rebound and captain Virgil van Dijk received it, heading into the far corner for 1-0.
Soon, Japan's vitality returned. Six minutes after the first goal, Keito Nakamura finished with a beautiful shot to tie the score—1-1. Seven minutes passed before the Netherlands took the lead again, when Crysencio Summerville's neat shot from the edge of the box hit the corner to make it 2-1.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3kgrGRfA397mGX3_cbNlww--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD04NzI7Y2Y9d2VicA--/https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/2026-06/8c9dc855-f4b2-437b-85f3-4383d6622380" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>For that moment, the Netherlands seemed to have the important win in hand. But Japan heated up their attack in the final minutes, and from several set-piece opportunities they equalized. The goal came from a corner kick that was initially credited to Koki Ogawa but ownership of the goal was later transferred to Daichi Kamada after the ball was said to have bounced off his head before heading into the goal. 2-2 was the final result and set up one of the most exciting and competitive duels of the tournament.
This draw has big implications for Group F. Both teams will run against Sweden and Tunisia in the next games, and getting a win in those will be crucial to have a chance of qualifying for the next round. It's also not the first time Japan have surprised big European sides at the World Cup: in 2022, they beat Spain and Germany and even won the group, a reminder of their ability to upset traditional favourites.
In the end, a tight and exciting point for both teams, as the battle for Group F at the World Cup 2026 deepens.
