Netherlands Choke Late, Japan Snatch 2-2 Draw in Group F Thriller

Arlington saw a snoozer of a first half. Then the gloves came off for a wild second 45 minutes, with all four goals coming after the break. 69,285 souls watched it unfold.

Virgil van Dijk nodded the Netherlands ahead, thanks to a Ryan Gravenberch cross. Seven minutes later, Keito Nakamura leveled things up. His shot took a wicked deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke, sailing past Bart Verbruggen. Crysencio Summerville, fresh off his international debut this month, curled a beauty into the far corner, restoring the Dutch lead. Match winner? So everyone thought.

Japan had other plans. Kento Shiogai's header bounced off Kamada, then Verbruggen. The keeper, frankly, looked like he should've done better. He merely parried it into his own net. 89th minute. Utter chaos.

That late blow screamed for a scapegoat, and Koeman's 81st-minute substitution of Gravenberch for defender Nathan Ake looks a prime candidate. It invited pressure. Lots of it. Netherlands had control, then they didn't. Go figure.

Japan, missing the injured Kaoru Mitoma, showed up with pedigree, having already knocked off Brazil in October and England at Wembley in March. Impressive wins. But they seem to need a slap in the face — going behind — before truly waking up. That's a habit to kick as the tournament wears on.

Some pundits are still hedging, talking about how 'decent' the Dutch looked and how they 'will be more of a threat'. Sure, Jan. But Japan gave them a proper scare. Both sides will stew on this: two points tossed away, not one earned.