Vloet edges out Lithuania at the death

Rai Vloet scored with practically the last chance of the game as the Netherlands denied hosts Lithuania a share of the points in their opening Group A game at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

On as a substitute, the PSV Eindhoven man got his head to a corner in the sixth and final minute of added time to give Vim van Zwam's side all three points. The Dutch looked to be on for a substantial win when Anass Achachbar struck twice inside the first half-hour, but Lithuania impressed on the counterattack, Lukas Artimavičius halving the deficit before Gratas Sirgėdas equalised with a fine solo effort on 83 minutes.

Lithuania hit the ground running, and Lukas Spalvis's surge into the box had the Dutch defence in a spin, but goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart was equal to his low shot. The visitors, though, were to dominate possession throughout and had the lead on ten minutes, Bilal Basacikoglu delivering the through ball for Achahbar to beat Tomas Švedkauskas.

Basacikoglu went close with a shot of his own soon afterwards, but returned to his role as a provider on 29 minutes, his cross from the right headed in by Feyenoord forward Achahbar. However, Lithuania reduced the arrears before half-time, Deimantas Petravičius delivering a corner for Artimavičius to head Antanas Vingilys's side back into contention.

Van der Hart saved from Simonas Stankevičius four minutes after the break, with Lukas Narbutas blasting the loose ball over the bar from the right, while the next notable chance fell to Basacikoglu at the other end. The sc Heerenveen man pounced on a loose pass and surged into the box, but Švedkauskas saved his shot at the near post.

That looked to be a crucial intervention after substitute Sirgėdas received the ball inside his own half, beat two defenders and slotted the ball past Van der Hart to make it 2-2, but Vloet intervened to dash Lithuania's hopes.