Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder — and current NOS TV commentator — Rafael van der Vaart apologized Wednesday after making an ill-advised comment while breaking down Netherlands 2-2 draw with Japan on Sunday.

Netherlands and Japan play out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Dallas with all four goals coming in the second half

While Germany and Sweden earned overwhelming victories, Japan and the Netherlands played a thriller and Ivory Coast edged Ecuador.

After a scoreless first half, the World Cup group stage match between the Netherlands and Japan burst into life in the second 45 minutes, with Japan twice rallying and securing a 2-2 draw thanks to an 88th-minute header from Daichi Kamada.

Just one thing would've made Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville's World Cup debut better: Securing a win. Summerville put the Netherlands ahead of Japan 2-1 in the countries' 2026 tournament opener on Sunday,

Curaçao's "Blue Wave" displaced the Netherlands as the team the island cheers for in its World Cup debut vs. Germany.