UEFA U17 European Championships Report: France 2 - 0 Netherlands

Gareth Danaher reports from the UCD Bowl

France beat the Netherlands with two well-finished goals at the UCD Bowl as both teams progress to the quarter-finals of the European Championships.

Adil Aouchiche scored within 20 seconds of kick-off before Nathanael Mbuku added a second inside ten minutes as the French cruised to victory.

The game had just kicked off and people were only beginning to take their seats when the first goal was scored.

A dreadful pass by the Dutch captain Neraysho Kasanwirjo was snuck out by Aouchiche, who cleverly tucked the ball past Tein Troost in goal for his fifth goal of the group stages.

France doubled their advantage nine minutes later as Georginio Rutter played in Mbuku, and the winger rounded goalkeeper Tein Troost and slotted into the empty net.

The Dutch took their time to take their first chance of the game, and it came on 17 minutes when Kasanwirjo drilled a shot at goal but his effort sailed wide.

The first real possibility of a Dutch goal was when Steven van der Sloot made a dangerous turn against the French defence.

He turned his pass to Mohamed Sankoh but he was just short of slipping the ball into the net.

The final chance of the first half came again from the Netherlands as Taabouni dangerously played in Soulyman Allouch.

Zinga came sprinting out and he appeared to trip Allouch, but referee Mykola Balakin was having none of it.

Netherlands started the second half better and two chances nearly resulted in goals. Allouch’s effort and Taabouni’s powerful free kick were just turned away by the hands of Zinga.

The final minutes saw Netherlands push for a consolation goal, and a cross from Dirk Proper found Sontje Hansen, but his effort sailed over the bar.

France: Melvin Zing; Brandon Soppy, Timothee Pembele, Christian Matsima, Lucien Agoume (Théo Zidane 76), Georginio Rutter (Amadou Traoré 67), Melih Altikulac, Kelian Nsona Wa Saka (Dilane Bakwa 76), Adil Aouchiche, Nathanael Mbuku, Johann Lepenant (Enzo Millot 45+3).

Subs not used: Amjihad Nazih (gk), Isaac Lihadji, Jean-Claude Ntenda, Etienne Youte Kinkoue.

Booked: Timothee Pembele (53), Georginio Rutter (61), Lucien Agoume (70).

Netherlands: Tein Troost; Melayro Bogarde (Devyne Rensch 46), Anass Salah-Eddine, Mohamed Taabouni (Naci Ünüvar 65), Steven van der Sloot, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, Mohamed Sankoh (Sontje Hansen 46), Dirk Proper, Syb van Ottele (Nafoual Bannis 46), Soulyman Allouch, Joost de Schutter.

Subs not used: Calvin Raatsie (gk), Ki-Jana Hoever, Kenneth Taylor, Ian Maatsen, Brian Bobbery.

Booked: Joost de Schutter (29).

Referee: Mykola Balakin (Ukraine).

Attendance: 500 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Nathaneal Mbuku (France).