If Sunday’s World Cup match between the Netherlands and Japan felt extra like a quarterfinals tilt to you, and never the opening match of group play for either side, you weren’t alone. In the most up-to-date installment of the FIFA World Rankings, the Netherlands checked in at No. 8 in the world, whereas Japan clocked in at No. 18.
Yet there the two aspect had been on Sunday in the House that Jerry constructed, squaring off to start their respective journeys at the 2026 World Cup in Group F.
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The match ended degree, with either side scoring twice. But merely describing this recreation as a 2-2 draw doesn’t do it justice.
Here is each goal from the thriller between Japan and the Netherlands.
The first half ended with the rating knotted at zero, as either side created possibilities however couldn’t discover the crowning glory.
Then, in the 51st minute, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk headed house the opening goal of the match, and his first World Cup goal for Netherlands:
The header got here on the finish of a superb ball into the field off the proper foot of Ryan Gravenberch:
The goal gave the Netherlands an early lead, however issues had been simply getting began.
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Keito Nakamura equalizes for Japan
The Dutch followers had been nonetheless in full voice in celebration of Van Dijk’s goal, when Kieto Nakamura pulled Japan degree with this right-footed strike from simply exterior the field:
Here is one other have a look at the equalizer from behind Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen:
Nakamura’s goal got here in the 57th minute, tying the match at 1-1.
If there may be ever an ideal time to attain your first worldwide goal, it comes at the World Cup.
That is precisely what Crysencio Summerville did only a few minutes later.
As the match reached the sixty fourth minute, the ahead was on the finish of a move from Gravenberch, lower inside after which unleashed a blinding strike together with his left foot, simply previous a diving Zion Suzuki:
Here is one other have a look at the good strike from Summerville:
Once once more, the Dutch had been again on prime.
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Daichi Kamada equalizes in the closing seconds
The match remained at 2-1 into the closing minutes, however there was yet another twist to this story.
Japan had a nook in the 88th minute, and Junya Ito despatched an ideal nook into the field, which first discovered the head of Koki Ogawa earlier than deflecting by Verbruggen off the head of Daichi Kamada:
Right place, proper time for Kamada. Here is that goal from each potential angle:
While the Netherlands tried to search out yet another goal in stoppage time, that effort got here up quick, and this unimaginable match ended because it started, with the two sides degree.
Up subsequent for these two groups? The Netherlands will tackle Sweden on Saturday, June 20, whereas Japan will sq. off with Tunisia.