Match Report
The table read 1st (Netherlands U21, 19 pts) against 1st (Russia U21, 17 pts), 2 points apart. Russia U21's recent output lagged their position: 52nd on form over five rounds while 1st in the table. Against a league average of 1.55 goals per team per game, Netherlands U21 ran at 2.63 scored and 0.38 conceded, Russia U21 at 2.13 and 0.63.
Netherlands U21 arrived on a run of six straight wins, having scored in 6 consecutive games. The five-game form split read 15/15 points for Netherlands U21 against 5/15 for Russia U21.
The venue was Teddi Malcha Stadium, with room for 32,000 spectators. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Netherlands U21 led 1-0 at the break, before 5 more goals closed it at 5-1.


