Berghuis gets Netherlands back on course

The Netherlands got their UEFA European Under-19 Championship campaign back on track with a narrow but invaluable victory against England.

Coach Wim van Zwam pointed to a slow start as the decisive factor in their opening Group A defeat and his charges responded in perfect fashion in Bayeux, Steven Berghuis heading them in front on six minutes. Although the Dutch largely controlled the first half, England came back strongly after the interval yet their failure to find an equaliser means they go into Saturday's concluding matches level on points with their opponents.

Beaten 4-1 by France on Matchday 1, the Netherlands were eager to redress the balance and took the lead when Leandro Bacuna laid the ball off to Jerson Cabral on the right and his cross was powerfully headed in by Berghuis. The Oranje's lively front three caused the England back line all manner of problems early on, Luc Castaignos the next to threaten as he forced Declan Rudd to touch a powerful effort wide at the near post.

England were being harried in midfield and did not register an effort of note until the 26th minute when the Netherlands were indebted to a last-ditch clearance to preserve their lead. Steven Caulker beat goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet to Reece Brown's deep free-kick but when the ball dropped to Nathan Delfouneso his shot was cleared in front of goal by Bruno Martins Indi.

Van Zwam's team continued to look the more threatening, although England might have been level just past the hour when Delfouneso had an effort ruled out for handball. Although it was England who had the more urgent need, the best chances of the closing stages fell to the Dutch, Rudd almost spilling Rick van Haaren's shot and the unmarked Rajiv van la Parra heading the resulting corner wide. England conclude their group campaign against section leaders France in Saint-Lo, when Austria are the Netherlands' opposition.