Kamada equaliser in 89th minute denies Netherlands as Japan fight back twice in 2-2 World Cup opener

First-half stalemate

Both sides went into the break scoreless after a half controlled largely by the Dutch. Donyell Malen forced Zion Suzuki into two strong saves inside the opening 34 minutes, the first coming after the forward turned his marker and fired from close range in the third minute. Japan offered little in attack across the first 45 minutes, managing only three shots and failing to hit the target. Ronald Koeman's side held a territorial advantage but could not convert it into a lead, with Denzel Dumfries heading wide from a difficult angle as the Dutch pushed for an opener that did not arrive.

“Zaczęło się od kapitalnej okazji dla drużyny Ronalda Koemana. Donyell Malen obrócił się z obrońcą na plecach i zmusił Ziona Suzukiego do ogromnego wysiłku.”

Three goals in 13 minutes

Six minutes after the restart, Virgil van Dijk broke the deadlock. The centre-back stayed forward following a set piece and headed in Ryan Gravenberch's delivery at the far post in the 51st minute. Japan responded almost immediately: Keito Nakamura levelled in the 57th minute with his side's first shot on target, a strike from outside the penalty area that beat a partially unsighted Bart Verbruggen. The Dutch reclaimed the advantage seven minutes later when Crysencio Summerville cut inside and curled a technical finish into the net from the corner of the box, giving Suzuki no chance.

Japanese persistence rewarded

Leading 2-1, the Netherlands shifted to protecting their lead. Japan struggled with accuracy in the final third, repeatedly reaching the Dutch penalty area but wasting crosses and squandering promising positions. Their persistence paid off with a minute of normal time remaining when Koki Ogawa's shot struck Kamada and deflected past Verbruggen. Both teams created chances in added time but neither could find a winner, and the points were shared.

Group F context

The match opened Group F, a section that would have included Poland had Jan Urban's side not lost 3-2 to Sweden in the play-off final. Sweden, Tunisia, the Netherlands, and Japan make up the group. Japan entered the match having been the first team to qualify for the tournament (excluding the host nations), while the Netherlands arrived as favourites to top the group. Tunisia and Sweden will open their campaigns later in the round.