Dutch media criticise 'sloppy' Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo after World Cup performance

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The Netherlands were held to a 2-2 draw by Japan in their World Cup opener and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo featuredLiverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was branded "sloppy" by Dutch media despite scoring as the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan at World Cup 2026. It was Anfield team-mate Gravenberch's cross he converted in the 51st minute, with Gakpo joining his peers in celebrating.However, just minutes later, Keito Nakamura's effort from range crept in.

Gravenberch turned provider again as West Ham's Crysencio Summerville grabbed the Netherlands' second, but they were pegged back once more when Koki Ogawa's header deflected off Daichi Kamada and ensured the points were shared.Despite his goal-scoring effort, captain Van Dijk was the subject of some critique from the Dutch media for his defensive efforts, as was Gakpo, whilst Gravenberch was lauded.ADRating every player on how they performed in the draw, publication AD gave Liverpool's Van Dijk a 6/10 but highlighted some first-half play that was far from satisfactory.The report reads: "In the first half, he [Van Dijk] was sloppy in his passing and somewhat clumsy in defence, when [Ayase] Ueda briefly escaped his attention."Gravenberch, on the other hand, was given a 7/10: "Gravenberch pulled the Netherlands out of a dead end. His good through ball to Summerville didn't result in a goal, but his well-placed cross to Van Dijk did.

The publication penned: "The joy of Van Dijk's thirteenth goal ever for the Oranje was short-lived, as defending far too passively and Micky van de Ven 'forgetting' to step out and play the offside trap meant that Nakamura fired home seven minutes after the opening goal."The outlet's head of football, Valentijn Driessen, also pulled no punches when evaluating Van Dijk's game. He said: "Van Dijk denies everything.