Five Things We Learned from Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Five Things We Learned from Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Day four's 9pm fixture proved to be a goalfest and a very exciting match that ended all square in Dallas, Texas, with a 2-2 scoreline.
This result now leaves Group F wide open, but there are plenty of lessons to learn from this - here are five things we learned from this clash.
1. Japan Defend Dark Horse Credentials
Looking at this Netherlands on paper, it definitely possesses many factors required for a nation to become world champions, but Japan proved today that if any side wants to be world champions they are going to have to work relentlessly to get past them.
They continued their insane form against European nations, in a run which last saw them lose in normal time to a UEFA nation back in Russia 2018 against Belgium.
Did Japan show you enough against the Netherlands to justify their dark horse tag? 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/i6YI53rFFX
— Coral (@Coral) June 14, 2026
The Samurai Blue come into this game as a serious dark horse prospect, and their ability to grind out a result like that after being held out for so long proves they have the ability to do something special this summer.
Brazil and England already know they are a team to be taken seriously, and now, the Netherlands do too.
2. Suzuki is a Brick Wall
Japan's goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was absolutely terrific this evening, pulling off four very impressive saves, preventing 0.62 goals in the process.
He did of course conceded two goals which perhaps damages this claim, but both efforts by Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville were borderline unsaveable which saw both go in off the post.
Netherlands just can't get past Suzuki pic.twitter.com/AhiARLUzTT
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) June 14, 2026
He made some strong, reflex stops from mulitple crosses and set-pieces, and without him, Japan could have gone into the interval a goal or even two down.
3. It's All Love at the World Cup, No Hard Feelings Here
The World Cup is all about bringing the world together and uniting as one, and that is exactly what this Japan fan did pre-match by getting right in and amongst their opponents' fan base.
🇳🇱🇯🇵 Reason 357 to fall in love with this World Cup.
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) June 14, 2026
When this Japan fan found himself in among the Netherlands supporters. pic.twitter.com/c9Ia5E7YaT
This is exactly what the World Cup is all about. We don't like to see any bad behaviour, fights, or any other type of hooliganism. We just want to see everyone being to get along with each other.
This is just another brilliant example of the fun that can be had at a World Cup, like Mexican and South Korean fans with their tequila or that Moroccan fan joining in with the Senegalese fans.
4. Dutch Will Have to Improve if They Want That First Star
The Dutch were really frustrating to watch from a neutral point of view.
We all know they have the ability to go far in this tournament, but they have to keep alert throughout and cannot afford to have any lapse in concentration which led to mistakes today.
Netherlands led this game TWICE and still couldn't win it.
— Mackyjoe (@Mackyjoeking) June 14, 2026
Game management like that against bigger teams will get punished even harder.
Wake-up call for Van Dijk's side. 🇳🇱⚠️ pic.twitter.com/6wtKzeGCg0
Going forward, they looked very strong, and Cody Gakpo and Summerville will be a pain and cause massive problems to any opponent they go up against, but the nations with strong attacks like Argentina, France and England could find plenty of success against them later on in the competition if the Netherlands fail to improve defensively.
5. The Army Has Arrived
Before the match kicked off the cowboy state of Texas, the Oranje army had completely taken over the streets of Dallas.
The Dutch are fully invading Dallas as we speak pic.twitter.com/gP6hzDEJQA
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 14, 2026
The beauty of international competitions like the World Cup is the absolute horde of fans that taken over cities on matchday, having a superb time before seeing their side take on the only nation they could realistically see challenging them for top spot.
Harry Pascoe 
Jake Brown 
