Virgil van Dijk slammed as late equalizer crushes Netherlands at FIFA World Cup
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesVirgil Van DijkVirgil van Dijk was criticized for being outjumped at a late corner as Japan's 88th-minute equalizer earned a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in DallasVirgil van Dijk was called out after the second goal by Koki Ogawa(Image: Getty)Virgil van Dijk scored the goal that put the Netherlands ahead but was then criticized for the defensive lapse that ultimately cost them victory.Japan scored a stunning 88th-minute equalizer to earn a 2-2 draw in one of the best matches of the 2026 World Cup so far at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sunday.The Liverpool captain had opened the scoring five minutes into the second half with a beautifully guided header into the far corner from Ryan Gravenberch's cross. It came after Van Dijk was caught in VAR controversy during the game.With two minutes of normal time remaining and the Dutch protecting a 2-1 lead, Japan won a corner.Koki Ogawa rose to meet Junya Ito's delivery and got above Van Dijk, directing a header that took a deflection off Daichi Kamada and bounced beyond goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.Van Dijk, who had been marking Ogawa at the corner, was outjumped, a rare failure for a player who has built his reputation on exactly those situations.
Another said: "Virgil van Dijk getting outjumped by Kosei Ogura for Japan’s equaliser was football comedy at its finest. Watching a man built like a skyscraper lose an aerial duel to someone who looks like he still gets asked for ID when buying an energy drink was absolutely magnificent".Another said: "Kamada beat Van dijk to a header btw.
No motm award can hide conceding a header to someone half his size" and "that japan header was crazy cause how are they gonna beat van dijk like that".Koki Ogawa outjumped Van Dijk to score the equalizer(Image: Getty)The draw itself was a remarkable match. After a cagey and largely uneventful first half, the game exploded into life in the second.Van Dijk's header gave the Netherlands the lead before Keito Nakamura leveled brilliantly six minutes later, drifting to the edge of the box and rifling a low shot into the bottom corner from Takefusa Kubo's pass.Then Crysencio Summerville, making only his third international appearance, cut inside from the right on his weaker left foot and fired an excellent finish off the far post to restore the Dutch advantage in the 64th minute, a goal made all the more impressive given the 24-year-old West Ham winger had only been included in the squad after convincing Ronald Koeman's assistant that he could play on the right flank.For a period the Netherlands looked comfortable, but Japan threw caution to the wind after going behind again, introducing all five substitutes and pressing relentlessly for a second equalizer.The reward came in the 88th minute, and the Japanese supporters inside the Dallas Cowboys' stadium were sent into scenes of wild celebration.The result continues a pattern at this World Cup of favorites dropping points unexpectedly in the group stage.Netherlands remain unbeaten in 16 consecutive World Cup group games, but they will have to regroup ahead of their next match against Sweden in Houston on Saturday.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Virgil Van DijkFIFA World Cup