2026 World Cup: the Netherlands are held by Japan at the death in a frustrating draw for the Dutch
The Netherlands never really got their World Cup up and running. On Sunday night in Arlington, the Dutch were held to a 2-2 draw by Japan in their opening Group F game. A first half that was flat, sluggish and short on bite left the Texas crowd wanting far more. Just three fouls apiece, almost no tempo and only Donyell Malen offering any spark as he forced Zion Suzuki into action twice. The best was always going to come later.
The second half changed everything. Virgil Van Dijk broke the deadlock in the 51st minute with a perfectly timed header from a Ryan Gravenberch cross, his 13th goal in 93 caps. Keito Nakamura hit back quickly, keeping his right foot tidy to beat Bart Verbruggen (57th), before Crysencio Summerville put the Dutch back in front with a superb curling finish (64th). It looked done and dusted, but Daichi Kamada stunned Verbruggen from close range after a corner in the 89th minute to snatch a draw. A brutal ending for the Netherlands, who thought they had it won.
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The unbeaten run lives on, but two points slipped away
For all the frustration, the Netherlands have now stretched their unbeaten run in World Cup group-stage games to 17, dating back to 1994 in the United States, the longest active streak of any nation. Thirteen wins and four draws, including this one on Sunday night. It is a decent stat, but it does not soften the blow of a result that should have been better against a stubborn, well-drilled Japan side packed with players who have played, or still play, in the Eredivisie.
In Group F, the Netherlands and Japan sit on one point each before Sweden-Tunisia gets its verdict overnight. In round two, the Dutch face Sweden while Japan take on the Eagles of Carthage. Ronald Koeman will need answers, and fast, if he wants to stop that dreary first half becoming a theme.
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