For the final fixture of the UEFA Youth League League Phase, Club NXT U19 played hosts for Arsenal U19. After conceding an early goal, Club NXT U19 spent the entire contest battering away at a deep-lying Arsenal defence in search of all three points. The equaliser finally arrived late on through Musuayi, before substitute Van Britsom struck the decisive 2-1 in the very last minute of stoppage time. The dramatic victory secured Club NXT U19 a place in the next round of the UEFA Youth League in February, as well as a third-place finish in the overall standings with an astonishing 15 points.
Led by captain Goemaere, Blauw-Zwart flew out of the blocks. Victory would guarantee a top-six finish and home advantage in the next round, which moves straight into the knockout phase. It was therefore no surprise that the first chance fell to Club NXT U19, with Musuayi’s effort blocked. A moment of carelessness in midfield, however, allowed the visitors to break at pace. Arsenal carved open the defence and Agustien calmly finished beyond goalkeeper Argus to give the English side an early lead.
It was a blow, but from that moment on Club took full control of the match. Amengai slipped a pass through to Lund Jensen, though Arsenal keeper Porter gathered the Dane’s low effort with ease. Vandeperre then delivered a perfect ball into the box, but Musuayi just failed to make contact with his header. Verlinden tried his luck from distance, firing narrowly wide, as the pressure continued to mount. Arsenal were pinned back and increasingly forced into mistakes. Efforts from Lund Jensen and Musuayi failed to find the net, while Porter was forced to punch clear another chance from the tall striker. A foul on Vandeperre gave Lund Jensen a free-kick, but it was smashed into the wall.
After half an hour, the Gunners were reduced to ten men when Nduka was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Wins. Club went even closer to the equaliser soon after, Amengai dragging a shot just wide, while captain Goemaere was unable to get proper contact on another opening. On the stroke of half-time, Goemaere’s header crashed against the post and stayed out. Despite a flood of chances, Club went into the break trailing by a single goal.
At the restart, Wins made way for Bisiwu as Club NXT U19 pushed even further forward. Amengai teed up Musuayi, but his first clear opportunity was fired straight at the goalkeeper. Lund Jensen again found Porter in his way, while Arsenal failed to string together a single meaningful attack. Argus was a virtual spectator, yet the scoreboard remained unchanged.
Head coach De Roeck threw on Kurtal and Van Britsom to add even more attacking intent, but the breakthrough continued to evade Club despite chances for Musuayi, Bisiwu and Koren. Time ticked away and Arsenal increasingly resorted to delaying tactics. Verlinden then received a second yellow card after a mistake, reducing both sides to ten men with just over ten minutes remaining.
Still, the Blue-Black side kept coming. Five minutes from time, the pressure finally told. A swift move down the right involving Elbay ended with Musuayi converting from close range to make it 1-1. Club wanted more. Arsenal continued to run down the clock and made further substitutions, but deep into stoppage time the decisive moment arrived. Kurtal delivered the assist, and Van Britsom applied the finish to make it two.
It ended 2-1, a fully deserved victory for Club NXT U19. With 15 points from a possible 18, they conclude the UEFA Youth League League Phase in impressive fashion and secure home advantage for the knock-out round in early February.
