Three goals in 13 second-half minutes lit up the intriguing World Cup Group F curtain-raiser between the Netherlands and Japan in Dallas.

Captain Virgil van Dijk headed the Dutch in front, only for Japan, who many see as tournament dark horses, to draw level. 

The Liverpool skipper found the net five minutes after the break to give Oranje a slender lead against a side many predict could cause a few shocks this summer. 

In a game that up to that point had seen few chances, Van Dijk’s goal came after in-form forward Donyell Malen had twice seen efforts saved by Zion Suzuki in the Japan goal in the first half. 

Keito Nakamura had the Asian side’s best sight of goal but the winger could only drag his volley wide. 

However, Nakamura made no mistake with his second effort after the break, sweeping home just minutes after his team had gone behind. 

But the Netherlands were not down for long. Seven minutes later, Crysencio Summerville restored the lead when he cut onto his left and curled a fine finish into the far corner.