Live Blog! Netherlands vs Japan At The FIFA World Cup 2026
Second Half 🇳🇱 Netherlands vs Japan 🇯🇵
90' | FULL-TIME! ⏱️🔥
What a match in Arlington! The Oranje and the Samurai Blue delivered a thrilling battle with goals, big saves, and drama until the final whistle. Netherlands and Japan share the points in a great start to Group F.
🇳🇱 2-2 🇯🇵
UNBELIEVABLE! 🤯🇯🇵
Here is Ogawa’s equalizer keeping the Samurai Blue dreaming of victory. Japan never stopped pushing and found the 2-2 in the final minutes with that header from the corner. A dramatic finish in Arlington!
🇳🇱 2-2 🇯🇵
88' | GOOOOOOOOAL FOR JAPAN 🇯🇵🔥
The Samurai Blue never stopped fighting! Ogawa rises highest from a corner and heads home the equalizer in Arlington. Japan kept pushing and level the match again.
🇳🇱 2-2 🇯🇵
85' | Netherlands holding on 🛡️
The Oranje slow down Japan’s attacks with tactical fouls and strong midfield positioning. Japan are trying to create chances, but they cannot find the spaces to build clear offensive moves.
🇳🇱 2-1 🇯🇵
80' | Japan pushing for the equalizer 🇯🇵⚡
The Samurai Blue take control of possession and move forward looking for the 2-2. The Netherlands are now sitting deeper and defending the lead. A thrilling finish is coming in Arlington.
🇳🇱 2-1 🇯🇵
72' | SUZUKI AGAIN! 🧤🇯🇵
The Japan goalkeeper saves his team once more. He denies Gakpo’s shot that was heading straight for the base of the post with a stunning save, keeping the third goal away.
🇳🇱 2-1 🇯🇵
What a goal from Summerville! 🇳🇱🔥
A spectacular long-range strike with power and precision into the corner. Suzuki dives but cannot stop the Netherlands from taking the lead again.
🇳🇱 2-1 🇯🇵
63' | WHAT A GOAL FROM THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱🔥
What a strike from Summerville! He unleashes a brilliant long-range shot into the corner, leaving Suzuki with no chance. The Oranje take the lead again in Arlington.
🇳🇱 2-1 🇯🇵
This is Nakamura’s brilliant strike that levels the match for the Samurai Blue 🇯🇵
The Japan attacker finds the space and unleashes a powerful, precise shot into the base of the post. Verbruggen cannot get there and Japan are back in the game.
🇳🇱 1-1 🇯🇵
56' | GOOOOOOOOAL FOR JAPAN 🇯🇵🔥
The Samurai Blue level the match! Nakamura fires a low, powerful shot into the base of the post that beats Verbruggen. Japan respond quickly and bring the game level in Arlington.
🇳🇱 1-1 🇯🇵
This was Virgil van Dijk’s header to put the Oranje ahead 🇳🇱
The defender rose highest inside the box and powered a header past Suzuki. The Netherlands strike first in Arlington.
🇳🇱 1-0 🇯🇵
50' | GOOOOOOOOAL FOR THE NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱🔥
Virgil with a header! The defender rises inside the box and puts the Oranje ahead in Arlington with a powerful aerial finish.
🇳🇱 1-0 🇯🇵
46' | Second half underway! ⚽
No goals so far, but the match remains full of energy. The Netherlands and Japan return looking to break the deadlock in Arlington.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
First Half 🇳🇱 Netherlands vs Japan 🇯🇵
45' | Half-time! ⏱️
A very entertaining first half in Arlington comes to an end. The Netherlands were slightly better and created the clearer chances, but Japan responded with several dangerous attacks. An intense and open match.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
44' | Ueda goes close! 🇯🇵
Japan threaten again with power. Ueda finds a good chance, but his shot does not end in the net and the Netherlands survive.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
42' | Nakamura had the chance! 🇯🇵
Japan come close to taking the lead. Nakamura found space and fired the shot, but it goes just wide. The Netherlands survive.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
33' | SUZUKI AGAIN! 🧤
The Japan goalkeeper comes up big once more. Great save from Malen’s shot as the Netherlands come close to opening the score.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
30' | The tension continues in Arlington ⚡
Japan are pressing high and making it difficult for the Netherlands to build from the back, while Oranje keep possession and look for openings against a well-organized Japan defense.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
20' | Possession keeps shifting 🔄
The Netherlands are now controlling more of the ball and looking for openings, but Japan remain well organized at the back and are not giving away many chances.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
14' | First Japan chance 🇯🇵
The Samurai Blue create their first clear opportunity, but Van Hecke steps in to block Maeda’s shot and stop the danger.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
11' | The pace slows down slightly
Both teams are settling into the match and managing their energy after a very intense start.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
5' | A thrilling start to the match ⚡
The Netherlands came out with intensity in the opening minutes, but the Samurai Blue are responding with speed and looking dangerous on the counter.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
2' | HUGE SAVE FROM SUZUKI! 🧤
The Japan goalkeeper denies the opening goal. Malen turned brilliantly inside the box and almost found the net, but Suzuki made a great stop.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
Kickoff in Arlington. The Oranje are chasing their first title, while the Samurai Blue look to prove their strong form. First match of Group F, everything is still to play for.
🇳🇱 0-0 🇯🇵
Pre Match 🇳🇱 Netherlands vs Japan 🇯🇵
The teams are on the pitch and the national anthems are being played in Arlington. A special moment before kickoff, with everything ready for this match.
Who wins the game? We will find out over the 90 minutes. Netherlands enter as favorites with more experience, but Japan have the pace and quality to cause problems.
The teams are out warming up... everything is ready in Arlington. Fans are waiting for kickoff.
Both teams are on the pitch and everything is ready for kickoff.
The Oranje against the Samurai Blue: European talent versus a generation looking to make history.
Another major match in this opening World Cup round. Netherlands, a national team with a rich tradition and a constant presence at the biggest tournaments, faces a Japan side arriving with a generation ready to compete against anyone.
The Oranje begin another World Cup with the same mission they have chased for decades: lifting the trophy. Under the leadership of Ronald Koeman, the Dutch team aims to combine its historic attacking philosophy with a more balanced and solid structure.
On the other side are the Samurai Blue led by Hajime Moriyasu, a dynamic and intense team with a very clear playing identity. Japan has already shown that it is not intimidated by the top nations, earning important results against major opponents in recent years.
This clash could be one of the biggest tests to measure how far this Japanese generation can go.
Netherlands Lineup
Japan Lineup
Netherlands: Controlling The Match And Exploiting Space
The team of Ronald Koeman arrives with an interesting mix of experience and youth. The main idea will be to control possession, manage the tempo and find spaces with players capable of breaking defensive lines.
Netherlands usually builds from a clean defensive setup, with defenders involved in the creation and midfielders looking to progress through vertical passes. Frenkie de Jong will be a key figure to give the team composure and find solutions against Japanese pressure.
Width will be essential. The wingers and full-backs will have to stretch the field to force Japan to defend wider, creating spaces for attackers to appear near the box.
The biggest challenge will be defensive transitions. Japan is dangerous when it wins the ball and quickly attacks with numbers, so Netherlands must avoid turnovers in risky areas and protect the space behind its full-backs.
If The Oranje can impose their physicality and control possession, they can take the match into a favorable scenario.
Japan: Pressure, Speed And Courage Against A Powerhouse
Japan arrives with a very defined identity. The Samurai Blue are not simply focused on defending; they look to compete with intensity, press high and attack with constant movement.
Hajime Moriyasu has built a disciplined team capable of adapting to different moments of the match. Japan knows when to push forward, when to drop deeper and how to trouble opponents with greater individual talent.
The main battle will take place in midfield. Japan will try to close down spaces to prevent Netherlands from controlling the rhythm of the game. When they recover possession, they will look to attack quickly by using the pace of their forwards.
Takefusa Kubo could be one of the most important players because of his ability to receive between the lines, turn and create danger in one-on-one situations. Japan also has players capable of attacking open spaces and punishing any defensive mistake.
The challenge will be to withstand Dutch power and maintain concentration throughout the 90 minutes.
A Match That Could Set The Tone
Netherlands arrives carrying the weight of history and the expectation of competing for major achievements. Japan, meanwhile, comes with a generation that has already stopped being a surprise and now wants to prove it belongs among the elite.
It will be a battle between two styles: Dutch structure and technical quality against Japanese intensity, speed and discipline.
An ideal test for both sides: Netherlands looking to confirm its status as a contender and Japan trying to prove it is no longer a surprise, but a true challenger.
Follow all the coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on beIN SPORTS.
