Netherlands 2–2 Japan: Kamada's late deflection denies the Dutch in Dallas
Japan twice came from behind to snatch a dramatic draw in their World Cup Group F opener against the Netherlands at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. After a sluggish, goalless first half, the game burst to life in the second period when an unmarked Virgil van Dijk headed home from Liverpool teammate Ryan Gravenberch's cross in the 51st minute.
The Dutch lead lasted only six minutes. Keito Nakamura levelled in the 57th minute with a low strike that took a deflection on its way past Bart Verbruggen. Ronald Koeman's side regained the advantage in the 64th minute when Crysencio Summerville cut inside onto his weaker left foot and curled a fine finish beyond Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Just as the Netherlands looked set for victory, Japan struck again. In the 89th minute Koki Ogawa's header took a telling deflection off Daichi Kamada and squeezed past Verbruggen, completing a battling comeback and earning the Samurai Blue a share of the points.
Key moments
- •Virgil van Dijk headed the Netherlands in front in the 51st minute from Ryan Gravenberch's cross.
- •Keito Nakamura equalised for Japan in the 57th minute with a deflected low strike.
- •Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch lead in the 64th minute, cutting in to finish on his left foot.
- •Daichi Kamada's 89th-minute deflected effort, off a Koki Ogawa header, rescued a 2-2 draw for Japan.
- •After a goalless first half, all four goals came in a frantic second period in front of 69,285 in Arlington.
Timeline
Match facts
- AT&T Stadium, Arlington
- 69,285 attendance
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- Referee: Ismail Elfath (United States)
Match report generated from publicly available sources. Facts are drawn from the sources below.