High drama for Low Countries

The Netherlands twice came from behind against hosts Belgium as the neighbours shared the Group B spoils in Tubize on the opening day of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Flying start
Belgium made a flying start and were in front after only three minutes thanks to Nill De Pauw. Their opponents were similarly ruthless at the start of the second half, however, as Nacer Barazite scored four minutes in, only for Eden Hazard to restore the Red Devils' advantage from the penalty spot in the 67th minute. Belgium's François Guillaume twice went close to making the game safe - his first effort hitting the woodwork - before Georginio Wijnaldum struck for the Jong Oranje three minutes from time.

Dangerous Barazite
The early goal was real route-one football, Belgium goalkeeper Jo Coppens sending a huge kick downfield which was flicked into the path of De Pauw, who collected the ball on the left-hand side of the area before picking his spot perfectly. The Netherlands sought an immediate reply and Barazite was a danger throughout the rest of a half which saw Genero Zeefuik and Luciano Narsingh narrowly fail to restore parity and Coppens frustrate Wijnaldum with a decent save.

Solo effort
So it was no surprise to see Barazite score the leveller soon after the restart with a fine solo effort into the bottom corner. With every point looking vital in the four-team pool, it was a credit to both teams that they continued to attack in search of the winner. Belgium thought they had it when Hazard - now of LOSC Lille Métropole but formerly an AFC Tubize player - picked himself up to convert a penalty, but the Netherlands were not to be denied and took full advantage as Wijnaldum drilled a lovely free-kick into the top corner from long distance late on.