World Cup Group Stage - 1
Netherlands 2 - 2 FT Japan
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
HT
51' V. van Dijk (R. Gravenberch)
K. Nakamura (T. Kubo) 57'
61' C. Summerville
64' C. Summerville (R. Gravenberch)
↓ D. Maeda ↑J. Ito 66'
70' ↓ D. Malen ↑M. Depay
70' ↓ C. Summerville ↑T. Koopmeiners
70' ↓ T. Reijnders ↑Q. Timber
↓ T. Watanabe ↑T. Tomiyasu 75'
↓ T. Kubo ↑K. Ogawa 75'
↓ R. Doan ↑Y. Sugawara 75'
81' ↓ R. Gravenberch ↑N. Ake
83' M. Depay
↓ A. Ueda ↑K. Shiogai 84'
85' ↓ C. Gakpo ↑B. Brobbey
D. Kamada (K. Ogawa) 88'
90'+1 M. van de Ven
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Netherlands
Goalkeepers
Bart Verbruggen 
SIEVE
33%
Save %
33%
Save %
2
Conceded
1
Saves
Defenders
Denzel Dumfries 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jan Paul van Hecke 
MAGNET
97
Activity
97
Activity
92
Passes
5
Duels
Virgil van Dijk 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Micky van de Ven
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Ryan Gravenberch 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
2
Assists
22%
Pass Acc
Frenkie de Jong
MAGNET
77
Activity
77
Activity
69
Passes
8
Duels
Tijjani Reijnders
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
Forwards
Crysencio Summerville
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Donyell Malen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
Cody Gakpo
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
BENCH
Mark Flekken 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Robin Roefs
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jorrel Hato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lutsharel Geertruida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nathan Aké
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Quinten Timber
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Teun Koopmeiners
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mats Wieffer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Guus Til
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marten de Roon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Memphis Depay
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Justin Kluivert
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Brian Brobbey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Wout Weghorst
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Noa Lang
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Japan
Goalkeepers
Zion Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Tsuyoshi Watanabe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Shogo Taniguchi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hiroki Itō
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Ritsu Doan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Kaishu Sano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daichi Kamada 
CLUTCH HERO
88
Goal Time
88
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.3
Rating
Keito Nakamura 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.7
Rating
Forwards
Takefusa Kubo 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.6
Rating
Daizen Maeda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Ayase Ueda
LATE SHIFT
6
Late Mins
6
Late Mins
84
Total Mins
84
Entry
BENCH
Keisuke Osako
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Tomoki Hayakawa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Ayumu Seko
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ko Itakura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Junnosuke Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yukinari Sugawara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Takehiro Tomiyasu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuto Nagatomo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ao Tanaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuito Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Junya Ito
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
9%
Pass Acc
Keisuke Goto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Koki Ogawa 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
19
Minutes
6.3
Rating
Kento Shiogai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shuto Machino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/19/2010 | Netherlands | 1 - 0 | Japan | World Cup | Moses Mabhida Stadium |
06/19/2010
Netherlands Win
Japan Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
A World Cup Classic Unfolds in Texas
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 90/100. A breathless 2-2 draw at AT&T Stadium delivered four second-half goals and proved both nations are genuine heavyweights in this tournament.
The Opening Chess Match
Controlled possession met resilient defending in the early exchanges. The Netherlands controlled possession with 59 percent of the ball, deliberately trying to stretch a deeply entrenched Japan rearguard. They operated entirely inside the opposition penalty area, generating ten shots from close range during the contest. However, the first half remained an entirely tactical affair. A high Intensity rating perfectly captures the gritty midfield duels and the immense pressure placed on the Japanese defense. Standing firm against the onslaught was goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who registered an exceptional 8.0 match rating. He delivered four crucial saves to keep the game scoreless, frustrating Dutch attackers who struggled to convert a solid 0.70 expected goals into actual scoreboard pressure. The opening 45 minutes gave us a tense standoff, setting the stage for absolute fireworks after the break.
A Thirteen-Minute Hurricane
The game suddenly exploded into life. V. van Dijk broke the stubborn deadlock on 51 minutes, powerfully finishing from a pinpoint R. Gravenberch delivery. The Balance of power immediately fractured, but the Samurai Blue responded brilliantly. They struck back just six minutes later through K. Nakamura, expertly set up by a drifting T. Kubo. This initiated a spectacular thirteen-minute flurry of pure chaos. Just when Japan seemed fully settled into the rhythm of the game, C. Summerville snatched the lead right back for the Dutch in the 64th minute. His direct running terrified defenders all evening, ultimately earning him a stellar 8.3 rating. Gravenberch secured his second assist on the play, demonstrating his unplayable vision in the central pivot.
The Late Heartbreak
The Dutch looked primed to claim all three points, retreating slightly to protect their hard-earned lead. But Japan entirely refused to yield. The Stakes were immense for Group Stage positioning, and managerial tweaks drastically changed the script. Substitute K. Ogawa stepped onto the pitch in the 75th minute and instantly disrupted the Dutch defensive line. His fresh legs paid off massively when he laid a perfect pass into the path of D. Kamada, who buried a dramatic 88th-minute equalizer. Despite creating a very low 0.54 expected goals across the entire ninety minutes, Japan's supreme clinical efficiency rescued a vital point. The full-time whistle confirmed a thrilling stalemate. Our take? Both sides showcased enough tactical flexibility and pure attacking grit to push very deep into the latter stages of this World Cup.
Key Questions
Did Netherlands deserve the late equalizer?
Actually, Japan scored the late equalizer! The Dutch dominated the ball, but Japan's clinical 88th-minute finish earned them a fully deserved point.
What does this mean for Netherlands's season?
A solitary point leaves Group Stage positioning wide open. They proved their attacking edge but must tighten defensively to secure progression.
How did substitute Crysencio Summerville change the game?
Summerville actually started the match! His direct attacking play yielded an 8.3 rating and a brilliant 64th-minute goal to momentarily restore the Dutch lead.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Survive and Advance
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 30/100. Opening the World Cup campaign with a defeat is not an option, turning this group stage opener into an immediate do-or-die scenario.
The Setup
Netherlands and Japan meet at AT&T Stadium on June 14, 2026, to kick off their tournament campaigns. While early tournament fixtures can sometimes start slowly, the narrative here is simple: survive and advance. The data reflects a relatively low Stakes reading on paper since it is only Group Stage - 1, but the reality on the pitch is far more urgent. A noticeable lack in the Stars rating indicates we are in for a gritty, system-oriented affair rather than a highlight-reel exhibition. Factoring in current Form and a solid Balance rating that tilts toward the European side, both nations will need to rely heavily on structural discipline to avoid an early disaster.
Key Battle
Without marquee individual names to steal the spotlight, this game comes down to tactical execution. The physical Dutch backline faces a relentless Japanese midfield pressing system. Expect a fascinating clash of European possession mechanics trying to neutralize Asian transition speed, where one lapse in concentration will decide the outcome.
Our Prediction
Netherlands 1-0 Japan. The Dutch will leverage their clear underlying advantage by grinding down Japan's defensive block, eventually edging out a tight, low-scoring contest.