If Sunday’s World Cup match between the Netherlands and Japan felt more like a quarterfinals tilt to you, and not the opening match of group play for both sides, you were not alone. In the most recent installment of the FIFA World Rankings, the Netherlands checked in at No. 8 in the world, while Japan clocked in at No. 18.

Yet there the two side were on Sunday in the House that Jerry built, squaring off to begin their respective journeys at the 2026 World Cup in Group F.

The match ended level, with both sides scoring twice. But merely describing this game as a 2-2 draw does not do it justice.

Here is every goal from the thriller between Japan and the Netherlands.

Virgil van Dijk opens the scoring

The first half ended with the score knotted at zero, as both sides created chances but could not find the finishing touch.

Then, in the 51st minute, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk headed home the opening goal of the match, and his first World Cup goal for Netherlands:

The header came on the end of a brilliant ball into the box off the right foot of Ryan Gravenberch:

The goal gave the Netherlands an early lead, but things were just getting started.

Keito Nakamura equalizes for Japan

The Dutch fans were still in full voice in celebration of Van Dijk’s goal, when Kieto Nakamura pulled Japan level with this right-footed strike from just outside the box:

Here is another look at the equalizer from behind Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen:

Nakamura’s goal came in the 57th minute, tying the match at 1-1.

Crysencio Summerville opens his international account

If there is ever a perfect time to score your first international goal, it comes at the World Cup.

That is exactly what Crysencio Summerville did just a few minutes later.

As the match reached the 64th minute, the forward was on the end of a pass from Gravenberch, cut inside and then unleashed a dazzling strike with his left foot, just past a diving Zion Suzuki:

Here is another look at the brilliant strike from Summerville:

Once again, the Dutch were back on top.

Daichi Kamada equalizes in the closing seconds

The match remained at 2-1 into the closing minutes, but there was one more twist to this tale.

Japan had a corner in the 88th minute, and Junya Ito sent a perfect corner into the box, which first found the head of Koki Ogawa before deflecting by Verbruggen off the head of Daichi Kamada:

Right place, right time for Kamada. Here is that goal from every possible angle:

While the Netherlands tried to find one more goal in stoppage time, that effort came up short, and this incredible match ended as it began, with the two sides level.

Up next for these two teams? The Netherlands will take on Sweden on Saturday, June 20, while Japan will square off with Tunisia.