Netherlands U21 and Norway U21 played out a 0:0 draw in the UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualification, Group Stage - 19 on Thursday. The match ended without goals despite several changes to both sides in the second half. It leaves the standings largely unchanged, with Norway still leading their group while the hosts sit in fourth place.
The game passed without any clear-cut chances, and no goals were scored despite the competitive nature of the fixture. Six substitutions were made across the second half, with neither side able to find a breakthrough. The Dutch side had previously lost 2:3 to Norway in March, but this time the result was more balanced.
For the Netherlands, the draw extends their recent run of mixed results. They had beaten Belgium 2:1 and Slovenia 2:0 earlier this year, but also suffered defeats to Israel and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The draw against Bosnia in October was their only other result without a goal this season.
Norway's position at the top of the table remains secure with 12 points from five games. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with losses to Finland and Slovenia after a victory over the Netherlands. The defeat earlier this year to the Dutch side was their only loss in the qualification campaign so far.
The result means Norway continues to lead the group with a five-point advantage over their nearest rivals. The Netherlands, meanwhile, remain mid-table with five points, needing better results to close the gap. Both teams will look to build on this performance in their next fixtures.
