Kamada strike earns Japan a point the Dutch cannot forget

Netherlands 2–2 Japan

Your team walked out of the World Cup opener with a point that Europe is still talking about. Daichi Kamada grabbed the late equalizer and the 2–2 draw against the Netherlands on Sunday landed like a statement (1) (2) (3) (4).

The Dutch press cannot let it go. The result is being framed as more than a single point, it signals Asian teams closing the gap on the European sides, with Japan's resilience forcing Ronald Koeman into defensive substitutions that became a major controversy back home.

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk publicly criticized the new drink breaks introduced at this tournament, a subplot that shows how much the Dutch were thrown off their rhythm.

Japan were everything you want your team to be: disciplined, opportunistic, and completely unfazed by the occasion.

Frenkie de Jong under fire after your opener

The Dutch midfield star is taking heavy criticism after the Japan match. Analysts Wim Kieft and Jan Mulder tore into his performance on TV, with one calling it hard to watch (4).

De Jong himself pushed back, warning the competition that the Netherlands are unpredictable in their own way (3). The noise around one of their key players tells you how much your team rattled them.

Next up: Netherlands face Sweden on Saturday

The Dutch go into their second group match against Sweden on Saturday needing a win after the Japan result (1). Mexico have already become the first team to qualify for the next round at this World Cup (2).

Your team's point already looks valuable.