Japan and the Netherlands battled to a 2-2 draw in their Group F World Cup opener, with Daichi Kamada scoring a late equaliser in the 88th minute. The Netherlands took an early lead with goals from Cody Gakpo and Frenkie de Jong. Japan responded with a goal from Takuma Asano, narrowing the gap before halftime. Kamada’s header, stemming from a corner kick delivered by Koki Ogawa, secured a valuable point for Japan in a dramatic finish. The draw leaves both teams with one point in Group F, setting the stage for crucial upcoming matches. The result marks a positive start for Japan against a highly-ranked opponent.