Three Things We Learnt From Japan’s Comeback Against the Netherlands
Japan showed why many fans see them as one of the dark horses of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after battling back twice to earn a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Dallas.
The Samurai Blue refused to give up and left the match with a valuable point. Here are three things we learnt from the game.
1. Japan Have the Character to Go Far
Japan fell behind twice but never lost belief.
After Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring for the Netherlands, Keito Nakamura quickly levelled the match. When Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch lead, Japan continued to attack and were rewarded with a late equaliser from Daichi Kamada.
Their determination, energy and fighting spirit suggest they could be a difficult team for any opponent in this tournament.
2. The Netherlands Have Defensive Questions to Answer
The Dutch created chances and scored two good goals, but they struggled to keep Japan under control.
Coach Ronald Koeman will be concerned that his side failed to protect a lead on two occasions. Even after going 2-1 ahead, the Netherlands looked uncomfortable as Japan continued to push forward.
If they want to challenge for the World Cup, they will need to become more solid at the back.
3. Kamada Can Be Japan’s Big-Game Player
Kamada delivered when his country needed him most.
The Crystal Palace midfielder stayed alert in the closing stages to guide Koki Ogawa’s effort into the net and rescue a point. Beyond the goal, he was one of Japan’s most influential players in attack.
If Kamada continues to produce moments like this, he could become one of the key players for Japan during the tournament.
A Point That Could Prove Crucial
While the Netherlands will feel they dropped two points, Japan will leave Dallas with confidence. Coming back twice against one of Europe’s strongest teams has sent a clear message to the rest of Group F: Japan are not in the World Cup just to compete — they are here to challenge.
