INTERNATIONAL: Late equaliser for Netherlands in six-goal thriller with Italy

An injury-time goal from substitute Ashleigh Weerden secured a share of the spoils for a Dutch side already in the semi-finals.

Italy had taken an early lead courtesy of an own goal by the unfortunate Aniek Nouwen following Gloria Marinelli’s delivery into the penalty area.

Netherlands bounced back with two goals in nine minutes - the first when Fenna Kalma managed to connect to a ball into the box before Italy goalkeeper Alessia Capelletti.

A penalty kick allowed Nouwen to add her name to the scoresheet in a positive way for a 2-1 advantage at the interval to Netherlands.

Italy produced a string of second-half chances then levelled in style thanks to Alice Regazzoli’s looping shot from distance.

A slick passing move ended with Annamaria Serturini curling home Arianna Caruso’s clever pass for 3-2 - before Weerden made her mark.

NETHERLANDS: Weimar, de Sanders (Dijkstra, 72), Nouwen, Sabajo (Weerden, 63), Noordam (van Schoonhoven, 55), Ypema, Altelaar, Van Dooren, Pattiwael, Kalma, Jansen.

ITALY: Capelletti, Cavicchia, Tortelli, Mella, Caruso, Marinelli (Serturini, 63), Del Staile, Santoro, Regazzoli (Greggi, 87), Lenzini (Panzeri, 73), Glionna.