🚨Thierry Henry on Japan honoring Wataru Endō after their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
🗣️ “To be honest, this is why football is different from any other sport in the world.
People will talk about the goals.
People will talk about the 2-2 draw.
But the image that will stay with me is that Wataru Endō shirt.
Football can be beautiful, but it can also be cruel.
Imagine dedicating your entire life to representing your country at a World Cup and then having that dream taken away by injury just before the tournament begins.
That is heartbreaking.
When I saw the Japanese players holding up his shirt, I didn’t just see a gesture.
I saw a team playing for one of their own.
I saw loyalty.
I saw brotherhood.
I saw players telling a teammate, ‘You may not be on the pitch, but you’re still with us.’
Those moments cannot be coached.
They come from the heart.
And that’s why they mean so much.
People always ask what wins football matches.
Sometimes it’s tactics.
Sometimes it’s talent.
But sometimes it’s emotion.
Sometimes it’s playing for something bigger than yourself.
Japan showed that tonight.
Every run, every tackle, every duel felt like they were carrying Endō with them.
And let me tell you, teams that have that kind of connection become very dangerous.
Because when eleven players are fighting for each other and for a shared purpose, they can achieve things nobody expects.
Tonight wasn’t just a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands.
It was a reminder of what football is really about.
And that’s why this game will always be special.”
{@MailSport }
🚨Jamie Carragher on the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener:
🗣️ “I don’t want to hear people saying this was an unlucky result for the Netherlands.
Let’s be honest, Japan deserved enormous credit for what they did tonight.
Before the game, most people expected the Dutch to control the match and take all three points.
Instead, Japan showed exactly why they’re one of the most dangerous teams in international football.
They were organised, aggressive and brave in possession.
What disappointed me was the Netherlands’ mentality after taking the lead.
At times they looked comfortable and assumed the game would take care of itself.
Japan punished them for that.
You can forgive mistakes.
You can forgive conceding goals.
But you cannot switch off at a World Cup.
Japan never stopped believing.
They kept pressing, kept running and kept asking questions.
That’s why they got their reward.
The Netherlands have quality players all over the pitch, but quality alone doesn’t win World Cups.
The best teams combine talent with discipline, concentration and hunger.
Tonight Japan looked hungrier.
The Dutch will look at the result and think they dropped two points.
I look at the performance and think they were fortunate not to lose all three.
Japan arrived believing they could compete with anyone.
The Netherlands arrived expecting to win.
There’s a big difference between those two mindsets.
And that’s why we’re talking about a 2-2 draw instead of a Dutch victory.”
{@SkyNews }