The Netherlands and Japan split a point a piece after drawing 2-2 in one of the best matches of the tournament so far.
THIS BACK-AND-FORTH THRILLER AT DALLAS STADIUM ENDS IN DRAW 🇳🇱🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/iyQ7rAat8Z
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Both sides could not manage many opportunities during the first half. With just a combined seven shots, three for Japan and four for the Netherlands, in the first half.
Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki stood firm, knocking away two Dutch scoring opportunities to keep the game scoreless.
Both sides would find some offense in the second half; with the Netherlands would drawing first blood.
A looping pass into the box by Ryan Gravenberch found the head of non-other than Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk for his first ever, World Cup goal.
The Japanese quickly regrouped however, finding an equalizer just six minutes later.
Keito Nakamura took a strong right footed strike, driving it into the bottom left corner to equalize the game at 1.
The Netherlands would quickly respond, taking the lead once again, courtesy of Crysencio Summerville.
And for the next 26 minutes, it seemed Summerville’s goal was enough for the Dutch to take home the victory.
But Japan’s Daichi Kamada thought otherwise.
During a corner, Daichi Kamada stuck a line drive into the box, which Kamada met head on to deposit the ball into the back of the Dutch net, drawing even right at the death.
The back-and-forth affair ended 2-2, awarding both teams a point.
The Netherlands and Japan will both play next on Friday.
The Dutch will match up against Sweden at 1 p.m. and the Japanese have Tunisia at noon.
Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official
