Norway comeback denies France

France and Norway remained locked at the top of UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round Group 6 after the points were shared in Nantes.

Following a 1-0 win for Belarus against Georgia earlier, Norway knew a victory would book a finals place with a game to spare and took an ninth-minute lead through Ohi Kwoeme. But Sébastien Haller swiftly equalised for the group hosts and Gaëtan Laborde made it 2-1 to France at the break, only for Ivar Erlien Furu to level with 19 minutes left and set up an exciting conclusion on Wednesday.

Kwoeme's opener was opportunist; the ball slipped from Quentin Beunardeau's gloves as he looked to pass and the Norway No9 pounced to slot inside the near post. France recovered within four minutes when Benjamin Mendy ran down the left flank to deliver a cross which striker Sébastien Haller headed in from close range.

Les Mini-Bleus took the lead on the half-hour, Abdallah Yaisien brilliantly dribbling past four Norway players, including an impressive back-heel, and although Øystein Øvretveit blocked his shot, he could only parry the ball on to the head of Laborde. France remained on top into the second half as Norway hoped for a chance to counter and their leveller came when, following a Yaisien foul on Martin Rønning on the halfway line, Furu struck a lofted free-kick which landed in the far top corner past Beunardeau's grip.

The hosts pressed hard to restore their lead but had to settle for a draw, keeping them behind Norway on goal difference and a point ahead of Wednesday opponents Belarus. Norway, meanwhile, play a Georgia side already certain to finish fourth.

France coach Patrick Gonfalone defended Beunardeau, saying: "He is excellent in some games and helped us through the qualifying round," but captain Raphaël Calvet added: "Our main feeling after this match is frustration. We felt it in the dressing room. We know that we let this match get out of our hands, even though we had most of the possession and created many chances."

Øyvind Nilsen, the Norway coach, said: "This draw feels like a victory because there's no doubt that France are the better team. The main thing in this tournament is to work hard and to develop. We're very satisfied that we worked hard even though not all the players did as well as they could have. But they worked hard and they were lucky to get a draw."