Key events<\/p>\n
The other teams in Group F, Sweden and Tunisia, meet in just under four hours\u2019 time. Then it\u2019s Netherlands<\/a> v Sweden and Tunisia v Japan on Saturday (or the early hours of Sunday).<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s been a pretty good start to the World Cup: 31 goals in 10 games, some historic moments and plenty of late drama. Gianni Infantino is a genius, the end.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Join Beau Dure for all the team news ahead of an intriguing game in Philadelphia. Ecuador, whose squad includes Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie, not to mention that Caicedo fella, finished second in Conmebol qualifying and conceded only five goals in 18 games.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.13 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the best match of the World Cup<\/a> so far,\u201d says K\u00e1ri Tulinius, flicking an insouciant two fingers in the direction of Simon McMahon and James Humphries. \u201cI\u2019ll admit that I struggled to stay awake during the first half, but the second had me being involuntarily loud and accidentally waking my daughter. Happily she\u2019s back asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Full time: Netherlands 2-2 Japan<\/p>\n Well that escalated slowly. A cautious first half was followed by a thrilling second in which Japan<\/a> twice came from behind to earn a point.<\/p>\n Virgil van Dijk and Crysensio Summerville finished expertly to put the Netherlands<\/a> 1-0 and then 2-1 up, only for the superb wingback Keito Nakamura and then Daichi Kamada to equalise.<\/p>\n Both Japan goals were deflected, it\u2019s true, but overall the scoreline feels about right.<\/p>\n Keito Nakamura<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.11 EDT<\/p>\n 90+5 min \u201cThis has indeed been more or less the hoped-for game, it\u2019s perked me right up,\u201d says James Humphries, who was already kite-high at kick off. \u201cI can even recall what day it is tomorrow!\u201d<\/p>\n I bet you can, sunshine<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 90+4 min I bet the Dutch commentariat will love the fact Ronald Koeman switched to a back five before conceding a late equaliser.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 90+3 min A big deep cross from Dumfries is headed wide by Koopmeiners. Loads of defenders around so it was a very tough chance.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 90 min Six minutes of added time. Van de Ven has been booked for something or other.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A corner from the right was met at the near post by the substitute Koki Ogawa. His header hit the head of Daichi Kamada, who knew the square root of bugger all about it, and flew towards goal. Verbruggen dived to his left, got two hands to the ball but could only help it into the net.<\/p>\n Verbruggen might have done better, but Japan<\/a> will feel they deserve a point after dominating the last quarter. When they try to score goals, they look a very good side.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.52 EDT<\/p>\n GOAL! Netherlands 2-2 Japan (Kamada 89)<\/p>\n Japan are level right at the death!<\/p>\n Japan score their second goal. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.53 EDT<\/p>\n 86 min Nakamura blasts a dangerous cross that just evades Ogawa in front of goal.<\/p>\n Japan have played their best attacking football, by far, when they\u2019ve been behind in the game. Next stop, rocket science.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 85 min: Netherlands<\/a> substitution Brian Brobbery comes on for Cody Gakpo, who rarely lets Netherlands down at major tournaments.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 84 min: Japan<\/a> substitution Kento Shiogai on for Ayase Ueda.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 83 min Depay is booked for something or other, let\u2019s not got into semantics here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.43 EDT<\/p>\n 82 min We\u2019re not done here, oh no sir. But when we are, this is your next assignment.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 81 min: Netherlands<\/a> substitution Nathan Ake replaces Ryan Gravenberch, who created both goals.<\/p>\n I guess that means a switch to a back five in response to Japan\u2019s tactical tweak.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 80 min: Chance for Japan<\/a> A nice, zig-zag move down the right ends with Junya Ito cutting the ball back sharply towards Sugewara in the area. He slips while lifting a shot that is comfortably saved by Verbruggen.<\/p>\n Actually, the reason Sugewara lost his balance is that Ito\u2019s cutback was slightly behind him.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 78 min Some good pressure from Japan<\/a>, who are now playing with two centre-forwards, it says here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 77 min \u201cI\u2019m sure Mac Millings will be able to come up with a \u2018Hydration XI\u2019 by tomorrow,\u201d writes Simon McMahon, \u201cjust so Mrs Millings doesn\u2019t think he\u2019s been enjoying himself too much…\u201d<\/p>\n Depends which type of Hydration XI we\u2019re talking about.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 75 min: Triple substitution for Japan<\/a> Takehiro Tomiyasu, Koki Ogawa and Yukinari Sugawara replace Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Ritsu Doan and the injured Takefusa Kubo.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 73 min A trademark effort from Gakpo \u2013 cutting inside, then reversing a shot towards the near post \u2013 is pushed round by Suzuki. Good save.<\/p>\n The resulting corner is headed towards goal by Van Hecke and saved comfortably by Suzuki.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 72 min \u201cThese are two of the more gifted technical sides at the tournament so it\u2019s been good to see an outbreak of football after the break,\u201d writes Chris Paraskevas. \u201cEnjoying these McDonald\u2019s hydration breaks every 5 minutes – the world is too rush rush. Blow the whistle. Stop. Have a ciggie. Enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n Chill, relax.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 70 min: Netherlands<\/a> substitutions Memphis Depay, Teun Koopmeiners and Quinten Timber come on for Donyell Malen, Tijjani Reinders and Crysencio Summerville.<\/p>\n Quinten Timber<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.31 EDT<\/p>\n 67 min Takefusa Kubo almost equalises for Japan<\/a> with an imaginative long-range effort. The reason for this unacceptably vague description is that I missed it while looking at reader emails, and there hasn\u2019t been a replay on the TV coverage.<\/p>\n Time for another hydration break.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.42 EDT<\/p>\n 67 min: Japan<\/a> substitution Junya Ito comes on for Daezan Maeda.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.42 EDT<\/p>\n 66 min Hiroki Ito makes an goal-saving block from Gakpo, who was offside anyway so forget it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Gravenberch, who now has two assists, played a short pass to Summerville on the right edge of the area. He moved infield, onto his left foot, and swept a precise curling shot that bounced past the diving Suzuki and into the far corner.<\/p>\n At first I thought the keeper might have done better. Not a bit of it: replays show that Summerville\u2019s shot could not have been more precise.<\/p>\n A word too for Denzel Dumfries, whose overlapping run gave Summerville the chance to cut inside. \u201cUses him by not using him<\/a>\u201d and all that.<\/p>\n Crysencio Summerville<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.34 EDT<\/p>\n GOAL! Netherlands 2-1 Japan (Summerville 64)<\/p>\n A fortnight ago, Crysencio Summerville was uncapped; now he has a World Cup<\/a> goal!<\/p>\n Netherlands’ Crysencio Summerville scores their second goal. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.25 EDT<\/p>\n 63 min A replay shows that Nakamura\u2019s shot brushed the outstretched leg of Van Hecke rathern than Maeda, who was trying to jump out of the way. As the original shot was on target, it\u2019s Nakamura\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 61 min Summerville trips Watanage and is booked.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The goal came out of nothing. Japan<\/a> worked the ball patiently on the left until the wing-back Nakamura, who had wandered into a central position, turned suddenly and whistled a low shot from the edge of the area with a his right foot. It took a nick off either Maeda or Van Hecke and gave Verbruggen no chance.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a check for offside but Maeda was being played on by the defender on the far side, Van de Ven I think.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.22 EDT<\/p>\n GOAL! Netherlands 1-1 Japan (Nakamura 57)<\/p>\n Japan are level!<\/p>\n Japan’s Keito Nakamura scores their first goal past Netherlands’ Bart Verbruggen. Photograph: Hannah McKay\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.25 EDT<\/p>\n 56 min The refcam shows that Van Dijk eased Watanabe out of the way to create space for his header. Canny stuff because there was nowhere near enough contact for a foul.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.19 EDT<\/p>\n 54 min Summerville runs onto a clipped ball over the top, keeps it in at the byline and pushes a low cross towards Malen that is cleared.<\/p>\n Netherlands are well on top in the second half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A poor free-kick from Reijnders was headed away at the near post. The loose ball was worked out to the right wing, where Gravenberch took a touch and whipped a belting cross towards the far post. Van Dijk found space, as he does so often in these situations, and planted an accomplished header back across Suzuki. It was perfectly placed and swerved just inside the post. Liverpool strike first in Texas.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.16 EDT<\/p>\n GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Japan (Van Dijk 51)<\/p>\n Virgil van Dijk heads the Netherlands<\/a> in front!<\/p>\n Netherlands’ Virgil van Dijk scores their first goal. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.13 EDT<\/p>\n 49 min \u201cEvery bit the cagey affair you\u2019d expect from two sides planning a deep run in this marathon of a tournament\u2019 is my wholly unsolicited, soundbite-friendly take on this match,\u201d writes Grant Tennille. \u201cBut a goal would be nice.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 48 min Gravenberch gets round the back, on the right, and wallops an inviting cross that flashes past everyone in the six-yard box.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 47 min \u201cCurrently in Atlanta, ahead of attending tomorrow\u2019s Clash of the Titans between Spain and Cape Verde, and having a \u2018hydration break\u2019 in a lovely bar, watching this with my son (who is finally of age), and enjoying your adequate commentary,\u201d chirps Mac Millings. \u201cIf Cape Verde can give us anything.l like the brief thrill that Cura\u00e7ao did today, the 10-hour round trip, 4 expensive tickets, hotel room, and $23 stadium beer will have been well worth it.<\/p>\n \u201cIs what I\u2019ll be telling a sceptical Mrs. Millings.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 46 min No half-time changes on either side.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Half-time reading<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.57 EDT<\/p>\n Half time: Netherlands 0-0 Japan<\/p>\n To save time over the next few weeks, can we coin the abbrevation \u2018nag\u2019 for games that need a goal?<\/p>\n With that in mind, our half-time analysis comes from James \u2018JD\u2019 Dean.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n NB: clip contains adult themes and language.Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.54 EDT<\/p>\n 45+3 min Another outswinging corner from Reijnders is headed towards goal by Malen and saved comfortably by Suzuki. A decent effort from Malen.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45+2 min \u201cNot entirely sure I\u2019m with you on the quality of the game here Rob,\u201d says Graeme Neill. \u201cI was too young to remember the 1988 side but this Dutch team is a shadow of the 1998 through to 2014 sides (aside from the team that didn\u2019t qualify for Japan\/South Korea). So ponderous and turgid.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, decades of disappointment and underachieving aside, the Dutch did inspire David Winner\u2019s Brilliant Orange, one of the finest books about football.\u201d<\/p>\n I should stress that my view on the quality of the game is a work in progress. I do think it\u2019s been pretty good though \u2013 lots of neat passing and manipulation of space, just not the dazzling quality to which you referred.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45+1 min Three minutes of added time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 min: Another chance for Japan Ueda pulls between Van Dijk and Van de Ven to receive angled pass into the area. He allows the ball to bounce past his body, onto the right foot, but then lashes a shot into the side netting. A decent chance, even if the angle was tight.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 43 min: Chance for Japan! Doan\u2019s cross from the right is misjudged by the leaping Summerville and reaches Nakamura beyond the far post. He controls the ball deftly and drags a right-foot shot just wide; Verbruggen had it covered.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 42 min Maeda, who looks full of the joys every time he gets the ball, accelerates a Japan<\/a> break with a nice spin and pass out to Nakamura. Alas, Nakamura\u2019s cross goes out of play.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 40 min Japan started confidently in possession, but the Netherlands<\/a> have dominated since Strathmore O\u2019Clock. There\u2019s still a pronounced slow-slow-getitinthefakkinmixer-quick rhythm to the game.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 38 min \u201cEvening Rob,\u201d says Simon McMahon. \u201cI\u2019m really hoping this might be the World Cup tournament where a team like the Netherlands<\/a>, or Portugal, or Japan, or Morocco, or Norway, or Ecuador, or USA, or Scotland, makes a breakthrough and maybe even wins the trophy. It\u2019d make a nice change from the usual suspects if nothing else. Though I suspect any of the aforementioned teams will likely end up being the Hearts to Spain or France\u2019s Celtic.\u201d<\/p>\n It does tend to happen once a generation, or rather it has since the inevitable early rush of first-time winners: 1930, 1934, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1998, 2010, 2026 YA DANCER.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 36 min A booming free-kick from Reijnders is knocked back across goal, possibly by a Japan<\/a> defender, and drilled over on the stretch by Gakpo. Tough chance.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 34 min Reijnders cracks an outswinging corner from the right that is met by Malen on the six-yard line. His powerful downward header is spooned away by Suzuki, who is relieved to see a defender \u2013 rather than a Netherlands<\/a> forward \u2013 get to the loose ball first.<\/p>\n That was a good effort from Malen, who had to scrap with two defenders just to get to the ball.<\/p>\n Netherlands’ Donyell Malen in action. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.39 EDT<\/p>\n 32 min Netherlands are having a good spell, perhaps their best of the game so far. It\u2019s a match of few chances but the quality has been high.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 31 min \u201cBeing in Dallas, it is appropriate that the referee is continuing with the big shoulder pads fashion of WC26,\u201d says Andy Gordon. \u201cAny idea what they are packing in there?\u201d<\/p>\n Is it Oliver Stone\u2019s 400-page treatise on who really shot JR?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 30 min Gakpo cuts inside and angles a cross towards Dumfries at the far post. It\u2019s slightly overhit, which means Dumfries can do nothing except head the ball over the bar from an impossible angle.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 29 min Van de Ven turns on the afterburners, charging into the area on the left and delivering a low cross that is well cleared.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 28 min Doan\u2019s fast low cross from the right is laid off crisply by Maeda to Nakamura on the edge of the area. He wants to shoot but can\u2019t find enough space, thanks mainly to Dumfries\u2019s excellent positioning, so instead lays the ball back to the onrushing Sano. He drills a first-time shot over the bar; another moment of opportunity goes up in smoke.<\/p>\n