Netherlands haven't lost in World Cups for 20 years; understand
The Netherlands debuts in the 2026 World Cup this Sunday (14), when they face Japan, at the Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, and defend a great taboo: the Clockwork Orange have not suffered a defeat in normal time in the World Cup since 2006.
The last game in which the Netherlands were defeated within 90 minutes took place against Portugal, in the quarter-finals of the World Cup held in Germany. On that occasion, the Portuguese won 1-0, with a goal from Maniche, in a game that became known as "The Battle of Nuremberg", due to the high number of fouls and four expulsions.
Since then, the European team hasn't known what it's like to lose and has now reached 20 unbeaten World Cup games, even without winning any title.
In 2010, the Dutch had an almost perfect World Cup: three victories in the group stage, against Denmark, Japan and Cameroon, beating Slovakia in the round of 16, Brazil in the quarterfinals and Uruguay in the semis. The problem was in the final, when they tied 0-0 in normal time and saw Andrés Iniesta score Spain's title-winning goal at the end of extra time.
Four years later, in Brazil, there were seven more games without defeat: 100% in the group stage against the Netherlands, Australia and Chile, then victory against Mexico in the round of 16, classification on penalties against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals and elimination on penalties against Argentina at the Neo Química Arena. The bonus game was the third place match, when Brazil beat Brazil 3-0.
After being absent in 2018, the Netherlands returned to compete in the World Cup in 2022 and again saw penalties haunt them. In the campaign, A Clockwork Orange came first in the group stage that included Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar, eliminated the United States in the round of 16 and stopped on penalties against Argentina, again, this time in the quarter-finals.
The Netherlands are in Group F of the World Cup, alongside Japan, Sweden and Tunisia, and are looking for their first world title.
See list of Netherlands' unbeaten games
- Netherlands 2 x 0 Denmark - group stage in 2010
- Netherlands 1 x 0 Japan - group stage in 2010
- Netherlands 2 x 1 Cameroon - group stage in 2010
- Netherlands 2 x 1 Slovakia - round of 16 in 2010
- Netherlands 2 x 1 Brazil - quarter-finals in 2010
- Netherlands 3 x 2 Uruguay - 2010 semi-final
- Netherlands 0 x 1 (pro) Spain - 2010 final in 2014
- Netherlands 0 (4) x (3) 0 Costa Rica - quarter-finals in 2014
- Netherlands 0 (2) x (4) Argentina - 2014 semi-final 2022 group stage
- Netherlands 2 x 0 Qatar- 2022 group stage
- Netherlands 3 x 1 United States - 2022 round of 16
- Netherlands 2 (3) x (4) 2 - 2022 quarter-finals
World Cup: see the teams that participated in the World Cup finals
Source: CNN