ARLINGTON, Texas — Japan snatched a dramatic late point against the Netherlands after Daichi Kamada headed home in the 88th minute to secure a 2-2 draw and spoil the Dutch side’s bid for a winning start in their FIFA World Cup campaign Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines) at AT&T Stadium.
The Samurai Blue showed resilience by twice coming from behind, with Kamada delivering the decisive equalizer just two minutes from regulation time. Meeting a pinpoint corner from Koki Ogawa, Kamada rose above the defense and powered a header toward goal. Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen got a hand to the ball but could not keep it from crossing the line.
Japan’s late breakthrough capped an impressive comeback against a Netherlands squad that appeared poised to collect all three points after regaining the lead midway through the second half.
After a scoreless first half, the Dutch finally broke through in the 50th minute when captain Virgil van Dijk headed in from close range to put the Europeans ahead.
Japan answered quickly seven minutes later as Keito Nakamura latched onto a pass from Takefusa Kubo before unleashing a strike from the edge of the penalty area that beat Verbruggen to level the match at 1-1.
The Netherlands restored their advantage in the 64th minute. Ryan Gravenberch provided the setup for Crysencio Summerville, whose left-footed effort bounced in off the post beyond goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
With defeat looming, Japan intensified its attack and found its reward in the closing stages when Ogawa’s corner kick found Kamada for the dramatic equalizer.
The draw extended the Netherlands’ unbeaten streak in World Cup group-stage matches to 16 games, although the Dutch were left frustrated after surrendering victory in the final minutes.
Meanwhile, in Houston, Germany opened its World Cup campaign in dominant fashion with a 7-1 demolition of tournament debutant Curaçao in Group E.
Curaçao briefly threatened an upset after Livano Comenencia equalized at 1-1 in the 21st minute, scoring the Caribbean nation’s first-ever World Cup goal. Germany, however, quickly reasserted control as Nico Schlotterbeck restored the lead in the 38th minute before Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Denis Undav joined the scoring spree.
Havertz finished with two goals as the four-time world champions cruised to one of the most emphatic victories of the tournament so far.
Elsewhere, Sweden celebrated its return to the World Cup with a commanding 5-1 victory over Tunisia, Australia defeated Turkiyé 2-0, and Ivory Coast edged Ecuador 1-0./PN
