Japan held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in a tense Group F clash on Sunday, earning a point that kept both teams level going into the next round of fixtures. Daichi Kamada’s 89th-minute deflected effort cancelled out what looked like a Dutch winner and sent the crowd into a frenzy at the end of a match that swung direction four times.

The Netherlands opened the scoring in the 51st minute through Virgil van Dijk, who climbed highest from a corner. Japan equalised six minutes later through Takuma Nakamura, whose shot wrong-footed the goalkeeper. Donyell Malen put the Dutch back in front in the 64th minute, restoring what seemed like a winning margin for the Europeans.

Japan refused to settle. In the 89th minute, Junya Ito delivered a corner into the box. Ogawa’s header was struck goalward and took a deflection off Kamada before squirming over the line. The Netherlands goalkeeper had no chance once the deflection changed the ball’s direction. The goal was confirmed after a brief VAR check and ended the match at 2-2.

The result gave both teams one point each from their opening Group F game. Sweden, who beat Tunisia 5-1 in the other Group F fixture earlier in the day, lead the group with three points. Japan and the Netherlands will need wins in their remaining matches to secure a comfortable route to the knockout stage.

Japan’s performance reinforced their reputation as a team capable of competing with European powers. Their 2022 World Cup run, which included wins over Germany and Spain, established a template for technical organisation and late drama that Sunday’s match echoed closely. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu kept his tactical shape even as the Netherlands pushed for a second goal in the 70th and 80th minutes.

The Netherlands, one of the pre-tournament favourites from Europe, will be disappointed not to take three points from what many expected to be a manageable opener. Their attacking quality was evident throughout, but Japan’s defensive organisation and willingness to press high disrupted Dutch build-up play during long stretches of the second half.

The match was one of the most watched of the tournament’s opening days, drawing large audiences across Asia, Europe and the Americas. Yahoo Sports described it as one of the more entertaining group-stage matches of this World Cup’s early rounds. Both teams return to action later this week as Group F continues.