Japan produced a dramatic late comeback to snatch a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in a thrilling Group F opener at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, with Daichi Kamada’s stoppage-time header denying the Dutch a winning start to their 2026 World Cup campaign.

The first half offered little in the way of quality, with both sides cautious in a much-anticipated “Group of Death” clash. Donyell Malen had the game’s earliest sight of goal, forcing a smart save from Zion Suzuki in the third minute, while Japan’s Keito Nakamura squandered a good chance on the stroke of half-time, dragging his effort wide after finding space just outside the box.

The match exploded into life six minutes into the second half. Virgil van Dijk rose highest to head the Netherlands into the lead, converting a right-wing cross from his Liverpool teammate, Ryan Gravenberch.

Japan’s response was almost immediate, as Nakamura’s low shot deflected off the foot of Jan Paul Van Hecke and looped beyond goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to level the scores within seven minutes of the opener.

The Dutch regained the lead in the 64th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Crysencio Summerville, who curled a beautiful left-footed effort into the far corner to make it 2-1 on his first senior goal for the national team. For long stretches it appeared that strike would be enough to settle the contest, with the Netherlands seemingly closing in on a perfect start to the tournament.

However, Japan refused to give up the fight. In the dying embers of the match, an 88th-minute corner from Junya Ito found Koki Ogawa, whose header looped goalward before deflecting off Kamada and beating Verbruggen to spark wild celebrations among the travelling Japanese support inside a crowd of 69,285.

The goal marked Japan’s latest-ever strike at a World Cup finals and ensured the spoils were shared in one of the tournament’s standout early fixtures.

The result represents a notable piece of history for both nations. It was the first time the Netherlands have taken the lead twice in a World Cup match without going on to win, while Japan became only the second side in their World Cup history to trail twice in a match and avoid defeat, after a similar 2-2 comeback against Senegal in 2018.

Despite missing the injured Kaoru Mitoma, Japan continue to look every bit the dark horse many had tipped them to be heading into the tournament, having previously beaten both Brazil and England in the buildup to the World Cup.

Both sides will have little time to dwell on the dramatic finish, with Group F action continuing on Saturday. The Netherlands face Sweden, while Japan take on Tunisia in what now shapes up as a pivotal contest for both teams’ hopes of advancing from a fiercely competitive group.