Netherlands Player Ratings Against Japan: Summerville Shines but Late Equalizer Costs Win in World Cup Opener
The Netherlands held Japan to a 2-2 draw in their first match of the 2026 World Cup, with key moments from players like Crysencio Summerville and Virgil van Dijk.
In their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, the Netherlands faced Japan and ended up with a 2-2 draw after conceding a late equalizer. The match took place in Dallas, and featured second-half goals from Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville, but Japan managed to equalize twice, resulting in a shared point for both teams in Group F.
The game started with Donyell Malen nearly scoring in the third minute, but his effort was deflected over the bar by Japan's goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki. The first half saw limited chances for both sides, with neither team willing to take significant risks with possession.
After halftime, Ronald Koeman's squad broke the deadlock when Van Dijk headed in a cross from Ryan Gravenberch, finding the bottom corner of the net. However, Japan responded quickly, as Keito Nakamura's low shot deflected off Jan Paul van Hecke, leveling the score just seven minutes later.
The Netherlands regained the lead when Summerville, a winger from West Ham, picked up the ball at the edge of the penalty area, cut inside onto his left foot, and curled a shot that hit the post before going in. Japan attempted to respond almost immediately, with Take Kubo firing a long-range effort just over the bar.
Cody Gakpo then created a chance, forcing Suzuki to make a save with his legs, but as Japan ramped up the pressure, the Dutch defense faltered. In the dying moments of the match, Koki Ogawa's header deflected off teammate Daichi Kamada, finding the net and sealing the draw for Japan.
GOAL.com rated the performance of the Netherlands players during the match, highlighting a few key performances and areas for improvement. The goalkeeper, while having no chance with Nakamura's goal, was criticized for not doing better on the second equalizer, which was deflected off Kamada.
The right-back's performance was limited by Japan's setup, and he was unable to showcase his usual attacking prowess. A solid display was noted for the Brighton center-back, despite the unfortunate deflection leading to Japan's first goal.
The midfielder was generally composed apart from a couple of misplaced passes, and his well-directed header opened the scoring. However, there were mixed reviews for the Liverpool player, who provided two assists but struggled to maintain consistent impact throughout the game.
Overall, the midfield lacked dynamism, and while some players made good set-piece deliveries, they offered little else in terms of offensive threat. Summerville's goal was praised for its quality, but other players like Malen and Gakpo faded after the first half, failing to create significant opportunities.
The substitutes did not make a substantial impact, with one player struggling to engage in the game after coming on, while another failed to dictate play in midfield. The coach's cautious substitutions and the team's lack of adventure in the first half were noted as areas of concern, especially as they head into their remaining group matches.
