FIFA WC 2026: Japan Strike Late to Hold Netherlands 2-2 in Thrilling Game

Japan fought back twice to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener. A late equaliser in the 88th minute secured a valuable point in Group F.

FIFA WC 2026: Japan fought back to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands (Image Source: IANS)

Japan scored an 88th-minute equaliser as they twice fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in front of 69,285 fans in Texas to open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

The Netherlands had looked set to become the early Group F frontrunners after Crysencio Summerville's 64th-minute goal. However, as they had done during the 14-minute goal burst earlier in the second half, Japan showed their mettle to secure a point.

Notably, this was the first time the Netherlands had fielded no home-based players in their starting XI for a World Cup match.

The Netherlands made a confident start and nearly took the lead after three minutes, allowing Donyell Malen to swivel inside the box and forcing a smart save from Zion Suzuki. The stoppage seemed to help Ronald Koeman's side and Roma forward Malen again worked Suzuki with a header from a corner, then Cody Gakpo fired wildly over the bar, AFC reports,

Notably, this was the first time the Netherlands had fielded no home-based players in their starting XI for a World Cup match.

The lead lasted just six minutes, Nakamura wriggling free and firing low past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, the ball taking a small deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke. In a madcap period of play, the Dutch forged ahead once more on 64 minutes when West Ham's Summerville beat his man on the right wing and curled into Suzuki's bottom-right corner with his left foot.

Article Source: IANS