Kolbeinn Sigthorsson's 83rd-minute equaliser rescued a point for Eredivisie defending champions Ajax after they could only draw 2-2 with a spirited AZ Alkmaar side.
They looked like they were well on their way to the perfect start to their campaign when Gregory van der Wiel's explosive 25-yard strike rocketed past AZ keeper Esteban Alvarado but two goals in three minutes changed the complexion of the game.
Jozy Altidore took the ball past defender Toby Alderweireld to go one on one with Ajax keeper Kenneth Vermeer before slotting home three minutes after the interval and AZ went ahead almost straight after when the United States striker fired into the roof of the net.
Stunned into action, Ajax had several chances to level but it was not until seven minutes from time that they managed to do so when Sigthorsson's delightful bicycle kick from Jody Lukoki's cross ensured honours finished even.
Sekou Cisse's first-half strike gave last year's Eredivisie runners-up Feyenoord a narrow 1-0 victory in their opening match of the season at FC Utrecht on Sunday.
Ronald Koeman's side finished six points behind champions Ajax last year and they got their campaign off to the right start this afternoon when Ivory Coast international Cisse headed home in the 39th minute, with the goal standing despite a suspicion of offside in the build-up.
Lex Immers saw his shot cleared off the line just after the interval by Mike van der Hoorn as Feyenoord continued to threaten while Ruben Schaken went through one on one but Utrecht keeper Robbin Ruiter made a fantastic save in injury time to keep the deficit to just one goal.
Marco van Basten made a forgettable start to life as Heerenveen coach after they were beaten 2-0 at home to NEC Nijmegen.
Melvin Platje opened the scoring in the 21st minute, the striker heading in off the underside of the crossbar following Navarone Foor's inch-perfect cross from the right wing.
NEC then doubled their lead 14 minutes later when Pavel Cmovs evaded the offside trap to head Ryan Koolwijk's long ball over the top past Heerenveen keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
Nacer Chadli and Dusan Tadic each bagged a brace as FC Twente began their season in blistering style with a 4-1 win over FC Groningen.
Steve McClaren's men did not look back after Chadli fired into the top corner on the half-hour mark before the Belgian turned provider three minutes later for Tadic, who finished from close range.
The two goalscorers combined again with Chadli striking low into the net nine minutes after the interval before Tadic sealed the rout with a vicious shot into the top corner in the 71st minute.
And although Leandro Bacuna pulled a goal back for Groningen after Genero Zeefuik's cut back seven minutes from time, it was too little, too late.
Jonathan Reis' 73rd-minute free-kick rescued a 2-2 draw for Vitesse at home to ADO Den Haag.
Despite being the stronger team in a goalless first half, the hosts fell behind when Tjaronn Chery hammered home from 30 yards in the 53rd minute. The lead lasted less than a minute though as Wilfried Bony levelled matters from close range.
The topsy-turvy nature of the encounter continued when Danny Holla finished in the area from Rydell Poepon's pass in the 57th minute but Reis guaranteed Vitesse a share of the spoils with his set-piece from just outside the area.
On Saturday, PSV Eindhoven were left stunned in their Eredivisie opener after Rodney Sneijder's brace inspired 10-man RKC Waalwijk to a 3-2 victory.
They took the lead after Jeremain Lens burst through on goal and struck past Jeroen Zoet in the eighth minute but RKC hit back after Wilfred Bouma put into his own net from Florian Jozefzoon's left-wing cross four minutes later.
Sneijder put RKC ahead in the 40th minute when he fired past Przemyslaw Tyton after Florian Jozefzoon's initial shot had been blocked and the brother of Inter Milan and Holland midfielder Wesley doubled his tally eight minutes after the interval with a powerful strike from just inside the area.
Tim Matavz headed home from Memphis Depay's pass to narrow the deficit and, although Guy Ramos was sent off for two yellow cards picked up in the space of a minute, RKC held on.
Bryan Linssen rescued a point for VVV-Venlo as they opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Heracles Almelo.
Brazil international Everton got hosts Heracles off to the perfect start when he fired home after being picked out in the area by Lerin Duarte in the 14th minute.
Guus Joppen had to clear off the line to keep the deficit to just one goal and it proved crucial as Linssen sensationally lobbed Remko Pasveer a minute before the interval.
Ten-man Roda JC also had to battle back from a goal down as they too began their season with a 1-1 draw at home to newly-promoted PEC Zwolle.
Joost Broerse put the visitors in front, heading home from Bart van Hintum's corner in the seventh minute.
But Syria striker Sanharib Malki dashed their hopes of victory by converting from Mitchell Donald's pass into the box in the 58th minute. The provider was then dismissed for a second bookable offence following a tackle from behind.
Two goals inside the last 11 minutes lit up the opening game of the Eredivisie season, with Willem II and NAC Breda sharing the points.
Willem II substitute Jens Podevijn gave his team the advantage when he broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a 12-yard shot which found the corner.
However, NAC Breda levelled this Brabant derby three minutes from time thanks to Anthony Lurling's curling effort.
