Van Dijk Scores First World Cup Goal in Netherlands vs Japan Match
In a 2026 World Cup group stage match, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk scored a header in the 51st minute off an assist from Ryan Gravenberch, giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead over Japan. The goal was van Dijk’s first in a major tournament and made him the second-oldest Dutch World Cup scorer at 34 years, 11 months. Japan later equalized. Van Dijk now has 13 international goals, one shy of Ronald Koeman’s record for Dutch defenders.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Van Dijk's Match Stats: 5 Duels Won, 6 Clearances in Netherlands' World Cup Exit
In the World Cup Round of 16, the Netherlands were eliminated after losing to Morocco on penalties. Virgil van Dijk played the full 120 minutes, recording 76 touches, 68 passes (62 successful), 6 clearances, 2 possessions regained, and 1 foul suffered. He won 1 ground duel and 2 aerial duels out of 4, with 0 shots and 0 key passes. The match stats were sourced from Sofascore and reported by Hupu soccer.
虎扑 - 足球Van Dijk downplays limp after Netherlands' 5-1 win over Sweden
In a World Cup group stage match on June 21, the Netherlands defeated Sweden 5-1. After the game, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk addressed concerns about a limp he displayed late in the match. Van Dijk explained to NOS that he took a hit to his hip, which caused his thigh to go numb temporarily, but he does not consider it a serious issue. He praised the team's performance, highlighting the five goals and positive mentality, while acknowledging that Sweden improved after the first water break. The match was played in Shanghai. The article is sourced from Hupu soccer, a Chinese sports media outlet.
虎扑 - 足球Van der Vaart Compares Van Dijk's Turning to a Boeing 747
In a World Cup group stage match, the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan. Former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart, speaking on Dutch national broadcaster NOS, criticized Virgil van Dijk's performance at halftime, describing his turning movements as clumsy and as slow as a Boeing 747 passenger jet. Van Dijk later scored a powerful header early in the second half to open the scoring for the Netherlands. Van der Vaart expressed surprise at Van Dijk's overall form and expressed hope that the defender would improve his turning speed in upcoming matches. The comments were reported by The Sun and relayed by Hupu Football News.
虎扑 - 足球Van Dijk Scores First World Cup Goal in Netherlands' 2-2 Draw with Japan
In a World Cup group stage match on June 15, the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan. The 34-year-old defender Virgil van Dijk scored a header during the game, marking his first goal in World Cup competition. He was subsequently named Man of the Match. Van Dijk has now played 728 matches in his professional career, accumulating a total of 78 goals. The report originates from Hupu News, a Chinese sports media outlet, citing source X.
虎扑 - 足球Van Dijk: Hard to Shake Off Markers, Happy to Score Header in Netherlands' World Cup Draw with Japan
After the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan in their World Cup group stage opener, captain Virgil van Dijk gave a brief interview to Fox Sports. He admitted the team dropped too deep late in the game but emphasized that the defense as a unit didn't give the opponent many chances, making the late set-piece concession especially bitter. Van Dijk reflected on his opening goal, noting it was difficult to shake off two defenders but he found space on the second phase of the attack to score a good header. He made clear the team must now shift full focus to their next group stage opponent, Sweden. The match ended in a draw, with Van Dijk expressing disappointment but acceptance of the point.
虎扑 - 足球Van Dijk Expresses Disappointment After Netherlands Draw 2-2 with Japan in World Cup Opener
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk expressed disappointment after his team drew 2-2 with Japan in their World Cup group stage opener. Van Dijk noted that while the Netherlands took the lead twice, they conceded a late equalizer from a set piece, which he found particularly bitter. He acknowledged that Japan was a tough opponent, citing their recent form including wins over England, Scotland, and Brazil. Van Dijk praised the defensive organization of his team, stating they gave Japan few clear chances, but admitted defensive lapses on the two goals conceded. He emphasized the need to win the remaining two group matches against Sweden and another opponent to achieve something special. Van Dijk also commented on the stadium atmosphere, water breaks, and his partnership with Ryan Gravenberch, who assisted his opening goal.
虎扑 - 足球Virgil van Dijk Rebuts Dutch Pundits' Criticism After Netherlands' 2-2 World Cup Draw with Japan
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has pushed back against accusations from Dutch television pundits that the Netherlands played too defensively in their 2026 World Cup Group F opener against Japan. The match, held in Dallas, ended in a 2-2 draw after Japan's Daichi Kamada scored a late equalizer in the 89th minute. Van Dijk had given the Oranje the lead with a 50th-minute header, and Crysencio Summerville restored the advantage after Keito Nakamura leveled. However, pundits Wim Kieft, Pierre van Hooijdonk, and Rafael van der Vaart criticized coach Ronald Koeman's tactical shift to a defensive posture. Van Dijk argued the team defended well until conceding from a set piece, while Koeman stated he could 'live with the result' despite the pressure ahead of their next match against Sweden.
Mirror - FootballVan Dijk: Facing a very compact Japanese team today, it was difficult to break through their defense
The Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan in their opening World Cup group stage match. After the game, captain Virgil van Dijk gave a brief interview to NOS by the pitch. He admitted that taking the lead twice only to be equalized left him with mixed feelings, especially the late goal conceded just before the final whistle, which was hard to accept. Van Dijk noted that Japan played a very compact defensive style, making it difficult for the Netherlands to break through. He acknowledged the threat from set pieces and counterattacks, which ultimately led to Japan's late equalizer. Van Dijk expressed disappointment but emphasized the team must move forward from the draw.
虎扑 - 足球Van Dijk: Japan's First Goal Was Avoidable, Should Have Forced Nakamura Wide
After the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan in the World Cup group stage, captain Virgil van Dijk expressed mixed feelings despite scoring a header to break the deadlock. He criticized the defense for Japan's first equalizer by Keito Nakamura, stating the right-footed player should have been forced to the outside. Van Dijk also lamented the second equalizer by Daichi Kamada from a set piece, calling it 'very bitter.' He urged the team to learn from the mistakes and move forward.
虎扑 - 足球Japan earn draw vs. Netherlands in opener on late goal
Japan and the Netherlands played to a 2-2 draw in their World Cup Group F opener in Arlington, Texas. After a scoreless first half, Virgil van Dijk gave the Netherlands the lead in the 51st minute. Japan equalized through Keito Nakamura in the 57th minute, but Crycensio Summerville restored the Dutch lead seven minutes later. Daichi Kamada scored a deflected goal in the 88th minute off a corner kick to level the match for the second time. Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made five saves in his World Cup debut, while Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made one save after being questionable with a hip injury. The Netherlands held 69% possession in the first half and had three shots on goal from Donyell Malen, all saved by Suzuki.
Yardbarker: SoccerVan Dijk's Match Stats: Opens Scoring with Header, Wins All Aerial Duels
In the first round of the World Cup group stage, the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan. Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes, scoring one goal from his only shot (on target). He completed 96 of 103 passes, won all three aerial duels, made eight clearances, and had one interception. He lost his only ground duel and failed his only dribble attempt. The match ended in a draw, with a comment noting that Van Dijk mistimed a header in the last aerial duel, leading to Japan's equalizer.
虎扑 - 足球Van Dijk Named Man of the Match After Header Goal in Netherlands vs Japan World Cup Draw
In the first round of the World Cup group stage, the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan. Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring for the Netherlands with a header. After the match, FIFA officially announced that Van Dijk was named Man of the Match. The match was closely contested, with both teams sharing the points. The article, sourced from FIFA's official website and reported by Hupu Soccer, highlights Van Dijk's individual performance despite the team's draw.
虎扑 - 足球Van Dijk One Goal Away from Koeman's Record for Dutch Defender Goals
In a World Cup group stage match between the Netherlands and Japan on June 15, Virgil van Dijk scored a header in the 51st minute, bringing his total goals for the Dutch national team to 13. With this goal, van Dijk tied fellow defender Frank de Boer for second place on the all-time scoring list for Dutch defenders. The current record holder is Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman, who scored 14 goals during his playing career. Van Dijk needs just one more goal to match Koeman's record and two to claim the top spot outright. The match was reported by Hupu Soccer, a Chinese sports media outlet.
虎扑 - 足球Virgil van Dijk Scores Header for Netherlands Against Japan in World Cup 2026 Opener
In their World Cup 2026 opener, the Netherlands broke a scoreless deadlock against Japan five minutes into the second half. Liverpool teammates Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk combined for the goal, with Gravenberch delivering a teasing cross into a crowded six-yard area. Van Dijk, the Dutch captain, met the ball with a precise header that glanced off the post and into the far right corner, showcasing excellent technique. The goal was highlighted by a social media clip from beIN SPORTS, emphasizing the quality of the finish. The match marked the start of the tournament for both teams.
CaughtOffsideVan Dijk Becomes Second Oldest Dutch World Cup Goal Scorer at 34 Years and 11 Months
In a World Cup group stage match between the Netherlands and Japan, Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk scored a header to give the Netherlands the lead. At the time of the goal, van Dijk was 34 years and 11 months old, making him the second oldest goal scorer in World Cup history for the Netherlands, behind only Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who scored at age 35 years and 5 months. This was also van Dijk's first goal in his World Cup career. The match was part of the group stage, and the article notes that the goal was immediately equalized by Japan.
虎扑 - 足球Van Dijk Scores Header, Becomes Second Dutch Defender to Do So in World Cup History
In a World Cup group stage match between the Netherlands and Japan, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk scored a header in the 51st minute, giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead. This was van Dijk's first goal in his sixth World Cup appearance. With this header, he became the second defender in Dutch national team history to score a header in a World Cup match. The last Dutch defender to achieve this was Ernie Brandts, who scored a header in the 1978 World Cup against Austria. The match was reported by Hupu Football News, with the source cited as X.
虎扑 - 足球Van Dijk Scores First Major Tournament Goal for Netherlands in World Cup Match Against Japan
In the 51st minute of a World Cup group stage match between Netherlands and Japan, midfielder Gravenberch provided an assist for defender Virgil van Dijk, who scored with a header to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead. According to statistics, this goal marked Van Dijk's first ever goal for the Netherlands national team in a major international tournament, including both the World Cup and European Championship. The match was reported by Hupu Football News on June 15.
虎扑 - 足球