Netherlands twice took the lead in their World Cup Group F opener against Japan but were pegged back on both occasions. Virgil van Dijk headed in from a Gravenberch cross before Keito Nakamura's deflected strike levelled. Crysencio Summerville's curling finish restored the Dutch advantage, only for Daichi Kamada's 88th-minute header to secure Japan a deserved point in an entertaining 2–2 draw.
Player Ratings
Netherlands
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Bart Verbruggen | 6.1 | Distribution erratic, repeatedly overhitting passes. Got a touch on Kamada's late header but couldn't prevent the equaliser. |
Denzel Dumfries | 6.6 | Provided consistent width on the right, blocked Maeda's cross early and won aerial duels throughout the match. |
Jan Paul van Hecke | 6.5 | Involved in ball circulation and made headed clearances. Deflection off him for Nakamura's equaliser may have wrong-footed Verbruggen. |
Virgil van Dijk | 7.9 | Commanding display capped by a towering header off the post for his first World Cup goal in the 51st minute. |
Micky van de Ven | 6.2 | Pace useful in recovery situations but positional discipline tested. Booked in stoppage time for fouling Junya Ito. |
Frenkie de Jong | 6.8 | Composed in midfield, breaking up attacks and delivering the long pass that released Gakpo for his saved effort. |
Ryan Gravenberch | 8.1 | Transformed the match with two assists—crosses for Van Dijk's header and Summerville's curler—before departing in the 81st minute. |
Tijjani Reijnders | 6.3 | Contributed to possession phases but struggled to find penetrating passes against Japan's compact block before his 70th-minute withdrawal. |
Crysencio Summerville | 7.5 | Brilliant individual goal, cutting inside and curling home off the post. Earlier booked for halting a counterattack. |
Cody Gakpo | 7.1 | Persistent left-flank threat, forcing an excellent save from Suzuki in the 73rd minute after cutting inside. |
Donyell Malen | 6.9 | Sharp early, forcing a fine save in the third minute. Won aerial duels from corners but headers lacked power. |
Memphis Depay | 5.9 | Limited impact after his 70th-minute introduction. Booked for a foul and lost possession under pressure late on. |
Quinten Timber | 5.8 | Struggled to find rhythm after coming on, losing possession multiple times and unable to match Japan's intensity. |
Teun Koopmeiners | 6.0 | Entered at 70 minutes in a more advanced role but had limited direct involvement as Japan pushed forward. |
Nathan Aké | 6.1 | Introduced in the 81st minute to shore up the defence but unable to prevent Kamada's late equalising header. |
Brian Brobbey | 6.0 | Brief cameo from the 85th minute, offering aerial presence but without significant chance creation in the closing stages. |
Japan
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Zion Suzuki | 7.3 | Excellent shot-stopping kept Japan competitive—denied Malen early, saved Gakpo's low effort, and stopped multiple headers from corners. |
Tsuyoshi Watanabe | 6.3 | Defensive stability from the right of the back three, winning aerial duels against Gakpo before his 75th-minute exit. |
Shogo Taniguchi | 6.8 | Most involved defender, making numerous headed clearances and showing confidence to carry the ball forward from deep positions. |
Hiroki Ito | 6.7 | Contributed at both ends—struck a first-time shot over the bar and made important clearances from set-pieces. |
Ritsu Doan | 6.5 | Tireless in his wing-back duties, contributing defensively against Gakpo while providing attacking impetus in transitions before substitution. |
Keito Nakamura | 8.4 | Outstanding display crowned by a well-struck equaliser in the 57th minute. Relentless running set the tone for Japan's pressing. |
Kaishu Sano | 6.6 | Disciplined midfield protection, making crucial interceptions and winning possession from Depay late on to break up Dutch attacks. |
Daichi Kamada | 7.8 | Creative heartbeat who delivered the crucial late equalising header and threaded excellent through balls throughout the contest. |
Takefusa Kubo | 7.4 | Provided the assist for Nakamura's goal and caused problems with his dribbling before departing with apparent discomfort. |
Daizen Maeda | 6.4 | Industrious forward work but missed a close-range chance early. Pressing of De Jong notably effective before his withdrawal. |
Ayase Ueda | 6.4 | Competed gamely leading the line despite facing Van Dijk aerially. Shot wide after meeting Kamada's through ball. |
Junya Ito | 7.0 | Influential after entering in the 66th minute, delivering the corner for Kamada's equaliser and drawing a late booking. |
Koki Ogawa | 6.8 | Telling contribution from the bench—credited with the assist for Kamada's equaliser, his header involved in the build-up. |
Yukinari Sugawara | 6.2 | Wasted a good chance in the 80th minute with a weak shot after a promising overlapping run. |
Takehiro Tomiyasu | 6.2 | Experience provided stability after coming on in the 75th minute, helping maintain Japan's organisation in the frenetic finale. |
Kento Shiogai | 6.0 | Brief appearance from the 84th minute, involved in pressing as Japan chased the equaliser they would find. |
