'Big goal from a big player!' - Van Dijk scores Netherlands opener
Virgil van Dijk scores the opening goal in the Netherlands Group F match against Japan at the 2026 World Cup.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Key People
Crysencio Summerville is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a winger.
Frenkie de Jong is a Dutch professional footballer known for his midfield play.
Keito Nakamura is a Japanese professional footballer recognized for his offensive play.
Koki Ogawa is a Japanese professional soccer player who plays as a striker.
Ronald Koeman is a former professional footballer and the coach of the Netherlands national team.
Ryan Gravenberch is a Dutch professional footballer playing as a midfielder.
Virgil van Dijk is a Dutch professional football player who plays as a defender for Liverpool.
Locations
Tags
All Coverage
Virgil van Dijk scores the opening goal in the Netherlands Group F match against Japan at the 2026 World Cup.
Virgil van Dijk won the Superior Player of the Match award after the Netherlands' 2-2 draw with Japan in the opening group stage game of the World Cup, scoring the opening goal with an impressive header at the start of the second half.
The Netherlands and Japan shared the spoils in a dramatic 2–2 draw in their opening Group F fixture at the FIFA World Cup, with Daichi Kamada’s late intervention securing a point for Japan after a fiercely contested encounter.
The Netherlands and Japan produced a thrilling contest in their World Cup curtain-raiser, with Virgil van Dijk opening the scoring with a perfectly placed header, but the Dutch were held to a 2-2 draw after Japan's late equalizer.
Ryan Gravenberch assisting Virgil van Dijk for the Netherlands against Japan is only the second ever World Cup goal scored and assisted by a Liverpool player, but the Dutch were held to a 2-2 draw after conceding a late equalizer.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Fearless Madjo, 17, ends eight-month wait with dream Villa debut
Teenage striker Brian Madjo scores on his Aston Villa debut in Uefa Super Cup defeat by Paris St-Germain to end eight-month wait for a chance to play in competitive games.
August 12, 2026 at 11:16 PM'It's a big relief' - English achieves his golden goal
Mark English is relieved after winning Ireland's first men's gold at a European Championships, admiring the "brilliant" support he's received from Irish fans.
August 13, 2026 at 09:59 PMCeltic take the lead through Nygren's 'magnificent' strike
Celtic take the lead in their Champions League play-off first leg against LASK, as Benjamin Nygren finds the top corner in spectacular fashion from outside of the box.
August 19, 2026 at 09:00 PMEngland beat Wales to finish top of World Cup pool
England underline their credentials as potential Hockey World Cup winners by sealing top spot in Pool D with an 8-2 win over Wales.
August 19, 2026 at 12:41 PMEx-tennis player Bautista Agut scores on football debut
Roberto Bautista Agut scores twice on his debut for Spanish seventh-tier side CD Els Ibarsos - just over a month after retiring from tennis.
August 15, 2026 at 01:07 PMBodo/Glimt in strong position following first-leg win at NEC
Last season's Champions League fairytale side Bodo/Glimt look set to qualify for this year's edition of the competition after winning 3-1 away at NEC Nijmegen of the Netherlands.
August 19, 2026 at 09:29 PM