Four goals shared in Arlington as Japan, Asia's most technical side, refused to be overawed by the Netherlands. A 2–2 draw that hinted at the goals to come from Group F — the Dutch would later put five past Sweden, Japan four past Tunisia.

The Netherlands controlled the game (60% possession, 33 touches in the opposition box to Japan's 19) and out-shot Japan on target six to three, yet a modest 0.78 xG shows they created volume rather than gilt-edged chances — and the two goals they did get, Van Dijk's header and Summerville's strike, both stemmed from Gravenberch deliveries. Japan, low-block and efficient on 0.59 xG, were ruthless with limited looks: nine of their last ten World Cup goals have come after half-time, and both Nakamura's deflected effort and Kamada's late header (off an 88th-minute corner) fit that second-half pattern. With no red cards and even fouls (7-7), this was decided not by a swing in numbers but by Dutch profligacy converting territorial control into only two goals, while Japan twice punished them on the counter and from a set piece. The three Dutch yellows late on hint at growing frustration as the lead slipped away.