Japan snatch late draw against Netherlands in World Cup opener

The Netherlands began their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 2-2 draw against Japan, squandering a lead twice in their Group F opener. The Dutch took the lead through captain Virgil van Dijk's header in the 51st minute, but Japan's Keito Nakamura quickly equalized six minutes later.

Crysencio Summerville then put the Netherlands back in front in the 64th minute with a well-placed shot. However, Japan, spurred on by their vocal supporters, fought back again. Daichi Kamada scored the late equalizer in the 89th minute, deflecting a shot into the net and securing a point for his team.

The match, played in front of 69,285 spectators in Dallas, saw both teams display moments of quality. While the Netherlands, three-time finalists, were expected to secure a win, Japan demonstrated their resilience and ability to compete at the highest level. The draw sets an intriguing tone for Group F, with both teams now looking to regroup for their next fixtures.