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 featured
Top row (lr) Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, Micky van de Ven or Netherlands, Denzel Dumfries or Netherlands, Jan Paul van Hecke or Netherlands, Virgil van Dijk or Netherlands, Cody Gakpo or Netherlands. Front row (lr) Crysencio Summerville or Netherlands, Frenkie de Jong or Netherlands, Tijjani Reijnders or Netherlands, Donyell Malen or Netherlands, Ryan Gravenberch or Netherlands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between the Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium
A trio of Liverpool stars played a part as the Netherlands drew with Japan at World Cup 2026(Image: Getty)
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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was branded "sloppy" by Dutch media despite scoring as the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan at World Cup 2026. Cody Gakpo also caught flak as Ryan Gravenberch was spared criticism.
Group F got underway on Sunday as the Dutch faced Japan in Dallas. After a goalless first half, Reds skipper Van Dijk headed home to give the Netherlands the lead. 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.
AD
Rating 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.
Virgil van Dijk of Holland celebrates 1-0, Tijjani Reijnders of Holland, Jan Paul van Hecke of Holland, Cody Gakpo of Holland, Memphis Depay of Holland, Crysencio Summerville of Holland, Frenkie de Jong of Holland, Nathan Ake of Holland, Ryan Gravenberch of Holland, Denzel Dumfries of Holland, Marten de Roon of Holland
The nation's captain opened the scoring(Image: Getty)
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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. For 2-1, Gravenberch also acted as the provider."
Team-mate Gakpo was handed a 5.5/10: "The Netherlands' top scorer at recent major tournaments played a poor second half and a decent first. Gakpo initially barely got involved. After the break, he did have a few good actions, but the attacker could not (yet) shake off the tough year at Liverpool at the World Cup."
De Telegraaf
Liverpool's captain wasn't spared by De Telegraaf either. 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. If I were Virgil van Dijk, the captain and leader of this whole affair, I would look at myself first.
Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands, Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands, Ryan Gravenberch of the Netherlands and Jorrel Hato of the Netherlands after the FIFA 2026 World Cup Group F match between the Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium
Van Dijk was lambasted for his attitude during the draw(Image: Getty)
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"He always blames someone else, while he himself is not blameless regarding that last goal from Japan. There is a lot of work to be done. Not only to win over the Dutch public, but also to go far in this tournament."
Gravenberch escaped such judgment, however, as his assist on the first goal was deemed "an excellent cross." The midfielder was hailed as "magnificent" for his move for the second strike, with the publication claiming he "came into his own" in a more advanced position. Gakpo went relatively unnoticed.