Netherlands 2-2 Japan result – Daichi Kamada nets late equaliser as Japan twice come from behind to hold Dutch in thrilling Group F opener in Dallas

Daichi Kamada grabbed a priceless equaliser as Japan twice came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw with Netherlands in a Group F opener that exploded into life in the second half in Dallas.

The Dutch had the best moments of a low-key first period with Donyell Malen twice going close while Keito Nakamura fizzed just wide of the near post at the other end.

Virgil van Dijk then broke the deadlock on 51 minutes when he headed home fellow Liverpool star, Ryan Gravenberch’s cross to net his first goal for his country at a major tournament.

The Blue Samurai responded and levelled just six minutes later when Nakamura’s low snap-shot caught Bart Verbruggen by surprise.

Orange regained the lead just past the hour when West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville marked just his third outing for Ronald Koeman’s men with a superb, 18-yard strike into the far corner from another Gravenberch assist.

However, the Dutch could not hold out and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada diverted substitute Koki Ogawa’s header into the corner to earn a share of the spoils two minutes from time.  

Next up in Group F, Netherlands face Sweden at 18:00 BST on Saturday June 20 while Japan meet Tunisia at 05:00 BST on Sunday June 21.

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It is also only the second time in total since the match against Senegal in the 2018 tournament that the Japanese national team has come from behind twice to draw level in a World Cup match - via OptaJiro

It was a first-half to forget but the second 45 was full of drama.

There was plenty of Premier League influence here with Gravenberch assisting both Van Dijk and Summerville for the Dutch goals.

Keito Nakamura netted Japan's first leveller before Crystal Palace midfielder Kamada deflected in Koki Ogawa's header two minutes from the end to rescue a point.

Oranje will be disappointed and Koeman may well rue going defensive with his changes trying to protect the lead.

The Dutch have made defensive changes trying to see this out and it's backfired.

Japan have the momentum, but do they have the time?

Six minutes added.

Japan equalise for a second time!

It's Kamada who deflects Koki Ogawa's header from a right-wing corner into the top corner.

All square in Dallas with just moments left!

Will Oranje's defence stand up to the examination?

Brobbey on for Gakpo.

Ayase Ueda off, Kento Shiogai on.

Depay booked for a late challenge.

Ake on for Gravenberch.

A slick move down the right ends with Yukinari Sugawara improvising with a 12-yard effort that is too close to Verbruggen.

Ogawa, Tomiyasu and Sugawara on.

Watanabe, Kubo and Doan off.

Gakpo motors free down the left once more. He jinks inside and manufactures space for a low shot that Zion Suzuki blocks away at his near post.

Van Hecke meets the resulting corner at the back stick but can't get enough purchase on his header and Suzuki plucks it out of the air.

Depay, Koopmeiners and Timber on.

Summerville, Reijnders and Malen off.