World Cup 2026
Shortly before the end: Japan shocks the Netherlands
Updated June 15, 2026 – 12:10 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
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Bond coach Ronald Koeman’s team and the team from the Far East are playing an exciting game. After the break, all dams break briefly.
Exciting game – without a winner: At the start of the World Cup, Japan beat the Netherlands 2-2 (0-0) despite being behind twice and showed a lot of morale in the process.
Keito Nakaumura (57th) and Daichi Kamada shortly before the end (88th) equalized for national coach Haijme Moriyasu’s team after goals from “Oranje” stars Virgil van Dijk (51st) and Crysencio Summerville (64th).
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In the video | Orange fans make the US metropolis shake
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That’s how the game went
Before kick-off, the Orange party train, which was experienced in traveling and singing, paraded through Dallas and created a festive atmosphere in the Texas metropolis. Ex-national players Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Wesley Sneijder also got into the World Cup spirit during the colorful fan walk.
The euphoria was transferred to the pitch, because the team around star defender van Dijk was in the tournament straight away. In the classic 4-3-3, the three-time runner-up world champion started powerfully and had the first big chance early on: Former Dortmund player Donyell Malen (3rd) forced Zion Suzuki to react strongly in the Japanese goal.
The initial offensive momentum was somewhat lost as a result, but the Netherlands still dominated the game. The Japanese, with the Bundesliga trio Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Kaishu Sano (FSV Mainz 05) playing from the start, stood deep and acted very structured defensively. The four-time Asian champions, however, remained weak offensively for a long time, with Japan only occasionally advancing through the wings into the final third.
