ARLINGTON, TX — 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, June 14, but the Dutch team couldn’t hold the lead and settled for a 2-2 draw.
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Still, the goal, which saw Summerville cut inside to get the ball onto his left foot and finish past Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, is a memory the 24-year-old will have forever
“It’s a very proud moment for myself and my family,” he said after. “I’m very, very happy with a goal on my debut, but a bit unlucky with the result.”
The goal was extra special because it came in only Summerville’s third international match.
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman hoped to call the West Ham United attacker into March camp for two friendly matches, but a minor injury meant Summerville made his debut June 3 against Algeria in a pre-World Cup friendly.
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Summerville became the first player to score his first international goal in a World Cup since countryman Daley Blind did so in the 2014 tournament, and his impact in a Netherlands team with big questions about its attack make it likely he’ll continue to get opportunities from Koeman.
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US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
Yet, it wasn’t that long ago that it appeared that Summerville might suit up for a different squad. Born in Rotterdam, both of Summerville’s parents are of Surinamese heritage. The Surinaamse Voetbal Bond was in contact with the player about representing the nation, given that the 24-year-old hadn’t been called to a Netherlands’ national team since playing for the U-21s in 2023.
“I was very close,” he said after the game. “I’m very close with my motherland as well, but I’ve always had one dream and that was playing for the Netherlands at the World Cup.”
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Now, he’s fulfilled that dream, not only playing for the team but helping it earn a point with a World Cup goal.
“We all see that he’s a really good player,” Netherlands left back Micky van de Ven said after the match. “He’s showed his quality also at West Ham and did really well the last couple of months. He just came into the team, but we all welcomed him in with open arms. We know his qualities, we know what he can do, and I think he showed it today as well.”
His next chance to show what he can do will come Saturday, June 20 when the Netherlands meets Sweden in Houston.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crysencio Summerville nearly joined Suriname instead of Netherlands
