Netherlands vs Japan

The Netherlands dominated the opening 45 minutes, holding 67% possession and twice as many passes as their opponents. Donyell Malen — preferred to Memphis Depay through the middle — forced Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki into a fine save inside three minutes, turning sharply and firing a powerful shot that the shot-stopper palmed away.

Japan grew into the half without ever truly threatening. Their best moment arrived just before the interval when a neat combination down the right flank ended with a Keito Nakamura cross-shot that fizzed narrowly wide of the far post.

The deadlock broke in the 51st minute. Ryan Gravenberch delivered a pinpoint cross from the left touchline and Van Dijk rose highest to power a header that bounced in off the far post. It was the Liverpool centre-back's first goal of the tournament and a moment that seemed to settle any Dutch nerves.

Japan's response was immediate and emphatic. Six minutes later, a sharp exchange of passes on the left opened up the Dutch defence. Nakamura collected the ball, cut inside and whipped a right-footed shot goalwards that took a diverting deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke, wrong-footing Verbruggen and nestling in the corner.

Koeman's side surged back ahead on 64 minutes. Gravenberch again turned provider, feeding Summerville who drifted infield from the left flank, opened his body and curled a beautiful left-footed strike into the far corner beyond Suzuki's despairing dive. It was Summerville's first World Cup goal — and one that appeared to have settled the contest.

Koeman introduced Nathan Aké for Gravenberch in the 81st minute, a visibly defensive substitution that invited Japanese pressure. The decision proved costly.

With time running out, Japan won a corner on the left. The delivery was whipped into a crowded box and substitute Shiogai's looping header took a crucial touch off the unsuspecting Kamada. Verbruggen, who should have done better, could only parry the ball into his own net. The Japanese bench emptied onto the pitch in celebration.

Van de Ven was shown a yellow card in stoppage time as Dutch frustration boiled over, but there was no further drama. The final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils.

Japan showed impressive resilience, responding to both Dutch leads with immediate purpose. Manager Hajime Moriyasu later described it as a "very meaningful point" against a top-class opponent.

"Look at the Fifa rankings, there's quite a difference," Moriyasu said. "But we can look back at today's match and learn from the Dutch and enhance our power."

For the Netherlands, there will be frustration at letting a lead slip — twice. Koeman's decision to turn defensive in the final ten minutes invited pressure that ultimately proved decisive. Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane noted: "The Dutch were in control and I still think they will be more of a threat in the latter stages than Japan. But they gave a couple of daft goals away."

Both sides take a point from their opening fixture in what shapes as a tightly-contested group alongside Sweden and Tunisia. The Netherlands will face Sweden in their next outing, while Japan take on Tunisia. With only the top two advancing, every point — and every goal — could prove decisive.

• 51' — Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) — assist by Ryan Gravenberch
• 57' — Keito Nakamura (Japan) — assist by Takefusa Kubo
• 64' — Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands) — assist by Ryan Gravenberch
• 89' — Daichi Kamada (Japan) — assist by Koki Ogawa

Ryan Gravenberch — the Dutch midfielder provided two assists and dictated the tempo from midfield before being substituted late on.