Football
Netherlands and Japan share points in 2-2 World Cup group-stage draw after Kamada's late header
Daichi Kamada's 89th-minute header gave Japan a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in a World Cup group-stage match that saw four second-half goals.
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In brief
All goals came after the interval, with the lead changing hands three times before Japan's 89th-minute equaliser.
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk headed his side into a 51st-minute lead from a corner.
Japan's Keito Nakamura fired a powerful strike past Bart Verbruggen seven minutes later to make it 1-1.
Crysencio Summerville curled a shot into the far corner in the 64th minute to put the Dutch back ahead.
Daichi Kamada's header from a corner in the 89th minute salvaged a 2-2 draw for Japan.
- 14 Jun51' - Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) header gives 1-0 lead
- 14 Jun58' - Keito Nakamura (Japan) equalises 1-1 with a powerful strike
- 14 Jun64' - Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands) restores lead 2-1 with a curling shot
- 14 Jun89' - Daichi Kamada (Japan) heads in equaliser 2-2 from a corner
First-half stalemate
The opening 45 minutes produced no goals despite several threatening moments. Donyell Malen had two early chances for the Netherlands, but Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki saved both, a powerful shot in the third minute and a header off a Tijjani Reijnders cross. At the other end, Bart Verbruggen was almost beaten by a Keito Nakamura volley that drifted wide, and Ayase Ueda fired a powerful effort just past the post shortly before the interval. Cody Gakpo also blazed over from a set-piece for the Oranje.
Second-half explosion
After the restart, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk broke the deadlock in the 51st minute with a superb header from a corner that went in off the post. The lead lasted roughly seven minutes. Takefusa Kubo found Nakamura at the edge of the box, and the Reims forward arrowed a firm strike past Verbruggen to make it 1-1. The Dutch responded swiftly. A fluid move down the right involving Denzel Dumfries set up Crysencio Summerville, who curled a precise shot into the far corner in the 64th minute to restore the Netherlands' advantage.
Late drama
Japan pushed hard for an equaliser, with Junya Ito driving repeatedly at the Dutch defence in the closing stages. Their persistence paid off in the 89th minute. A corner kick caused a scramble, Shuto Ogawa rose high and his header glanced off Daichi Kamada, who was credited with the goal, leaving Verbruggen no chance and sealing a 2-2 result. The Samurai Blue managed the remaining minutes to secure a valuable point against one of the tournament's respected sides.
Key performers
Van Dijk marshalled the Dutch backline and scored a crucial opener, while Nakamura's equaliser and industrious running kept Japan in the contest. Kamada, the former Lazio midfielder, became the hero with his late intervention. Summerville's finish demonstrated the attacking depth available to Ronald Koeman, though the Dutch will rue allowing Japan back into the match twice.
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Sources and context
- Il MessaggeroOlanda-Giappone 2-2, le pagelle: Malen (6,5) convincente, Van Dijk (7) prezioso, Kamada (6) eroe per caso
- Le ParisienCoupe du monde. Pays-Bas-Japon : les Nippons arrachent un nul in extremis
- La Libre.beCoupe du monde 2026: les Pays-Bas et le Japon partagent après une deuxième mi-temps riche en buts (2-2)
- 7sur7Un partage spectaculaire entre les Pays-Bas et le Japon
- Virgil van Dijk
- Netherlands captain, scored the opening goal with a 51st-minute header.
- Daichi Kamada
- Japan midfielder, scored the 89th-minute equaliser with a header.
- Keito Nakamura
- Japan and Reims forward, scored the first Japanese equaliser in the 58th minute.
- Crysencio Summerville
- Netherlands winger, scored Netherlands' second goal in the 64th minute.
- Donyell Malen
- Netherlands forward, had two early chances saved by Suzuki.
- Zion Suzuki
- Japan goalkeeper, made several saves including two from Malen.
- Bart Verbruggen
- Netherlands goalkeeper, conceded two goals.
- Takefusa Kubo
- Japan midfielder, set up Nakamura's equaliser.
- Junya Ito
- Japan winger, pressed the Dutch defence relentlessly late in the game.
- Ayase Ueda
- Japan forward, forced a save from Verbruggen late in the first half.
- Cody Gakpo
- Netherlands forward, had a shot go over the bar from a set-piece.
- Denzel Dumfries
- Netherlands defender, involved in the build-up to Summerville's goal.
- Tijjani Reijnders
- Netherlands midfielder, delivered the cross for Malen's first-half chance.
- Shuto Ogawa
- Japan defender, his header was deflected by Kamada for the late equaliser.
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