A record that even foreign media found astonishing: Japan's 10-game unbeaten streak against European teams (8 wins, 2 draws)

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japan national football team extended its unbeaten streak against European teams in A-matches to 10 games (8 wins, 2 draws) by holding the Netherlands to a draw at the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup.

Under head coach Hajime Moriyasu, Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in the Group F opener of the tournament at the stadium in Dallas, USA, on the 15th (Korean time). Japan is ranked 18th in the FIFA rankings, while the Netherlands is ranked 8th.

Japan, which finished the first half scoreless against the Netherlands, conceded an early goal to Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) in the 5th minute of the second half but quickly equalized with a goal from Kento Nakamura (Lens). Although the team appeared to be on the verge of defeat after conceding an additional goal to Christian Pulisic (West Ham), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) scored a dramatic equalizer in the 43rd minute of the second half from a corner kick situation, securing a valuable point.

Japan, which had been identified as a dark horse by many foreign media outlets and experts even before the tournament, demonstrated its strength by holding the Netherlands, which was ranked 10 spots higher in the FIFA rankings, to a draw in its first group stage match. While Japan was outmatched by the Netherlands in ball possession at 40%-60%, the two teams were evenly matched in shots, with 10 each.

In particular, the draw against the Netherlands on this day extended Japan's unbeaten streak against European teams to 10 games. Football specialist outlet Man in Blazer noted, "Japan's unbeaten streak against European teams has continued for 10 games," and also highlighted whether the team could achieve 11 consecutive unbeaten games through its group stage match against Sweden.

In fact, Japan has been on an upward trend since its 1-0 home victory over Serbia in a friendly match in June 2021, followed by 2-1 wins against Germany and Spain in the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and a 1-1 draw with Croatia (lost in penalty shootouts).

Subsequently, Japan secured a 4-1 victory in an away friendly against Germany in Wolfsburg, Germany, in September 2023, and a 4-2 win in a neutral venue friendly against Turkey.

Even ahead of this 2026 North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup, Japan continued its strong performance against European teams, surprising the world. In March, Japan won both away friendly matches against Scotland and England, 1-0 each. The victory against England was a historic first for an Asian team.

Furthermore, after defeating Iceland 1-0 in a friendly match that also served as the team's departure ceremony for the World Cup, Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in this World Cup, extending its unbeaten streak against European teams to 10 games.

Having overcome the hurdle of the first group stage match, Japan will face Tunisia on the 21st and Sweden on the 26th in the Group F second and third matches, respectively. The match against Sweden is particularly significant, not only as a potential turning point for advancing to the Round of 32 but also as a stage where the team will challenge for 11 consecutive unbeaten games against European teams.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.