Netherlands U17’s needed an injury-time penalty to earn a 2-2 draw against Norway in their second game of the European Championships.
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Kees van Wonderen’s side knew going into the game that a win would seal their place in the quarter-finals and they took the lead on eleven minutes when Willem II talent Zakaria Aboukhlal headed in from close range.
Despite totally controlling the rest of the first half Netherlands failed to build on their lead and in the second half, Norway made them pay by capitalising on two defensive errors. On 50 minutes, Jasper Schendelaar rushed out of his goal and when he failed to win the ball, it fell to Jørgen Larsen who slotted into an empty net. Five minutes later more indecision in the Oranje backline led to Halldor Stenevik firing past Schendelaar to give Norway a shock lead.
It seemed like Netherlands were going to taste defeat but in the second minute of injury time they were awarded a penalty and Achraf El Bouchataoui fired in from the spot to earn a draw.
The point means Netherlands remain second with four points which is two behind England and three ahead of Norway. Netherlands face England next on Wednesday knowing at least a draw would be enough to seal their place in the quarter-finals.