In an exhilarating match during the World Cup 2026, the Netherlands outperformed Japan, particularly in the latter half, demonstrating their attacking strength. Crysencio Summerville, who had recently made his debut, emerged as a key player by netting a significant goal that showcased his rising impact on the international scene.
67 min Takefusa Kubo nearly equalizes for Japan with a creative long-range attempt.
It’s time for another hydration break.
67 min: Japan makes a substitution as Junya Ito replaces Daizen Maeda.
66 min Hiroki Ito executes a crucial block against Gakpo, who was offside anyway, so it’s inconsequential.
Gravenberch, now with two assists to his name, delivered a short pass to Summerville near the right edge of the area. He shifted infield onto his left foot and unleashed an expertly curled shot, which eluded the diving Suzuki and nestled into the far corner.
Initially, I thought the keeper might have been able to intervene. However, replays confirm that Summerville’s strike was executed with pinpoint accuracy.
Denzel Dumfries also deserves recognition for his overlapping run, which provided Summerville the opportunity to cut inside. “Uses him by not using him” as the saying goes.
A fortnight ago, Crysencio Summerville was uncapped; now he has a World Cup goal!
63 min A replay indicates that Nakamura’s shot deflected off Van Hecke’s extended leg instead of Maeda, who attempted to dodge it. As the original attempt was on target, the goal is credited to Nakamura.
61 min Summerville fouls Watanabe and receives a yellow card.
The goal emerged unexpectedly. Japan meticulously moved the ball on the left until wing-back Nakamura, having drifted into a more central position, suddenly launched a low shot from the edge of the box with his right foot. It took a deflection off either Maeda or Van Hecke, leaving Verbruggen with no chance.
There was a check for offside, but Maeda was kept onside by the far defender, likely Van de Ven.
56 min The refcam reveals that Van Dijk skillfully maneuvered Watanabe out of the way to create room for his header. This was clever play, as the contact was minimal and not enough to warrant a foul.
54 min Summerville chased a lobbed ball over the top, keeping it in play near the byline, and delivered a low cross aimed at Malen, which was subsequently cleared.
The Netherlands has taken control in the second half.
A poorly executed free-kick from Reijnders was headed away at the near post. The loose ball was then worked out to the right wing, where Gravenberch collected it, took a touch, and sent a powerful cross toward the far post. Van Dijk found space, as he often does, and directed a skillful header back across Suzuki. The shot was perfectly placed, curling just inside the post. Liverpool strikes first in Texas.
Virgil van Dijk heads the Netherlands in front!
49 min “Every bit the cagey affair you’d expect from two sides planning a deep run in this marathon of a tournament’ is my wholly unsolicited, soundbite-friendly take on this match,” writes Grant Tennille. “But a goal would be nice.”
48 min Gravenberch gets around the back on the right and sends an inviting cross that sails past everyone in the six-yard box.
“If Cape Verde can give us anything.l like the brief thrill that Curaçao did today, the 10-hour round trip, 4 expensive tickets, hotel room, and $23 stadium beer will have been well worth it. “Is what I’ll be telling a sceptical Mrs. Millings.”
46 min No changes at halftime for either team.
To save time over the next few weeks, can we coin the abbreviation “Not entirely sure I’m with you on the quality of the game here Rob,” for games that need a goal?
With that in mind, our half-time analysis comes from James “I was too young to remember the 1988 side but this Dutch team is a shadow of the 1998 through to 2014 sides (aside from the team that didn’t qualify for Japan/South Korea). So ponderous and turgid. “However, decades of disappointment and underachieving aside, the Dutch did inspire David Winner’s Brilliant Orange, one of the finest books about football.” Dean.
45+3 min Another outswinging corner from Reijnders is headed towards goal by Malen and saved comfortably by Suzuki. A decent effort from Malen.
45+2 min “I’m really hoping this might be the World Cup tournament where a team like the Netherlands, or Portugal, or Japan, or Morocco, or Norway, or Ecuador, or USA, or Scotland, makes a breakthrough and maybe even wins the trophy. It’d make a nice change from the usual suspects if nothing else. Though I suspect any of the aforementioned teams will likely end up being the Hearts to Spain or France’s Celtic.” says Graeme Neill. “I was too young to remember the 1988 side but this Dutch team is a shadow of the 1998 through to 2014 sides (aside from the team that didn’t qualify for Japan/South Korea). So ponderous and turgid.
“Being in Dallas, it is appropriate that the referee is continuing with the big shoulder pads fashion of WC26,”
I must emphasize that my view on the quality of the game is still developing. Nevertheless, I believe it’s been quite good – featuring plenty of neat passing and spatial manipulation, though lacking the dazzling quality to which you referred.
45+1 min Three minutes of added time.
45 min: Another opportunity for Japan as Ueda slips between Van Dijk and Van de Ven to receive an angled pass into the area. He allows the ball to bounce past him, onto his right foot, but then sends a shot into the side netting. A decent chance, even if the angle was tight.
43 min: Chance for Japan! Doan’s cross from the right is misjudged by the leaping Summerville and finds Nakamura beyond the far post. He deftly controls the ball and pulls a right-footed shot just wide; Verbruggen had it covered.
42 min Maeda, brimming with energy every time he touches the ball, accelerates a Japan attack with a clever spin and pass to Nakamura. Unfortunately, Nakamura’s cross goes out of play.
40 min Japan began confidently in possession, but the Netherlands has dominated since Strathmore O’Clock. The game has exhibited a clear slow-slow-get-it-in-the-fakkin-mixer-quick rhythm.
38 min “Any idea what they are packing in there?” says Simon McMahon. “I’m really hoping this might be the World Cup tournament where a team like the Netherlands, or Portugal, or Japan, or Morocco, or Norway, or Ecuador, or USA, or Scotland, makes a breakthrough and maybe even wins the trophy. It’d make a nice change from the usual suspects if nothing else. Though I suspect any of the aforementioned teams will likely end up being the Hearts to Spain or France’s Celtic.”
It tends to happen once a generation, or rather it has since the inevitable early rush of first-time winners: 1930, 1934, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1998, 2010, 2026 YA DANCER.
36 min A powerful free-kick from Reijnders is redirected across goal, possibly by a Japan defender, and then blasted over by Gakpo on the stretch. A challenging chance.
34 min Reijnders delivers an outswinging corner from the right, which is met by Malen on the six-yard line. His strong downward header is parried away by Suzuki, who is relieved to see a defender rather than a Netherlands forward reach the loose ball first.
That was a commendable effort from Malen, who had to battle with two defenders just to reach the ball.
32 min The Netherlands is enjoying a strong phase, possibly their best of the match thus far. Although it’s a game with few chances, the quality has been impressive.
31 min “Being in Dallas, it is fitting that the referee is continuing with the big shoulder pads fashion of WC26,” says Andy Gordon. “Any idea what they are packing in there?”
Is it Oliver Stone’s 400-page treatise on who really shot JR?
30 min Gakpo drifts inside and angles a cross towards Dumfries at the far post. It’s slightly overhit, resulting in Dumfries being unable to do anything except head the ball over the bar from an impossible angle.
28 min Doan’s quick low cross from the right is crisply laid off by Maeda to Nakamura on the edge of the area. He wishes to shoot but struggles to find enough space, largely due to Dumfries’s superb positioning, so instead he rolls the ball back to the advancing Sano. He fires a first-time shot over the bar; another chance goes begging.
26 min Football’s back, baby.
