Japan and the Netherlands play to a 2-2 draw in both teams’ World Cup opener. Japan looks close to losing for much of the match against a higher-ranked Dutch side before Daichi Kamada scores in the 88th minute to equalize. His goal comes from a header off Koki Ogawa’s corner kick, sparking a late surge and leaving Japan level as the game reaches its final moments. Multiple outlets highlight that Japan had been minutes away from an opening defeat, with the Netherlands’ quality and momentum presented as key factors earlier in the contest. While the reports differ slightly in framing—some emphasize the match’s late turning point and others note broader expectations—the core result is consistent across sources: Japan secures a point at the end through Kamada’s late equalizer. The draw sets the next stage for both teams in Group F as they continue their tournament campaigns following the shared result in their first match.