Match report
Netherlands 2-2 Japan: Kamada's Late Equaliser Leaves Group F Wide Open
The Netherlands twice looked ready to turn a difficult opener into control of Group F. Japan twice pulled them back. Daichi Kamada's late equaliser sealed a 2-2 draw in Arlington and left the Dutch and Japan with one point each in one of the tournament's trickier groups.
Netherlands vs Japan final score
Final score: Netherlands 2, Japan 2. Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring in the 51st minute, Keito Nakamura levelled in the 57th, Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch lead in the 64th, and Kamada equalised in the 89th minute.
The Guardian's live report described both Japan goals as deflected, but it also made clear that Japan's late pressure deserved something from the match.
Ryan Gravenberch assisted both Dutch goals, while Kamada's leveller came after Koki Ogawa's near-post header from a corner bounced off him and beat the goalkeeper.
How Group F changed
This draw left both the Netherlands and Japan on one point with identical goal difference and goals scored. At full time, Group F still had no real separation because Sweden and Tunisia had not yet played the other opening match.
That means neither side suffered a damaging opening defeat, but both surrendered the chance to create an early points edge in one of the tighter-looking groups.
Japan's late equaliser also denied the Netherlands the simplest route to matchday-one control. Instead of sitting alone on three points, the Dutch leave their opener still needing the next round to create table space.
Qualification picture
One point from an opener in this format is workable, especially because third-place teams can still advance. The problem is that neither side built the cushion an opening win would have created.
The Netherlands' next match against Sweden already looks like a control game. Win it and the Dutch can move to the top; fail to win and they may reach the final round still chasing automatic qualification.
Japan's draw is probably the more satisfying of the two because they twice came from behind. But their next game against Tunisia now carries real pressure, because another draw could leave them needing help on the final day.
Key players and talking points
Gravenberch drove the Dutch attack with two assists, while Summerville's finish looked like the winning goal until the very end.
For Japan, Nakamura's first equaliser changed the game state and Kamada finished the comeback. The broader takeaway is that Japan looked dangerous once they played with more urgency.
The source reviewed also noted that Takefusa Kubo left after an injury interruption in the second half. Without a separate post-match medical update, that remains an in-match concern rather than a confirmed absence for the next fixture.