Despite having to fight back from two goals down against outsiders Finland to rescue a 2-2 draw on matchday one, the Dutch could have led after five minutes, when a ball from Noah Ohio found Ruben van Bommel, who found his shot towards the bottom-right corner smothered by Andreas Jungdal.
A minute later, Anton Gaaei missed by inches, before a defensive error nearly 10 minutes later saw Osula through on goal, only to be denied by a last-ditch block.
Back came the Dutch, and they finally nosed ahead in freakish circumstances. Another swift Jong Oranje counter saw van Bommel charge down the left flank and work his way into the box.
Oliver Provstgaard was the man covering, and all luck abandoned him when he cleared straight into van Bommel’s body, and in turn deflected the ball into his own net when it came straight back to him.
But the Danish were in no mood to relinquish their status as group leaders that easily, and after Gaaei crashed a cross-cum-shot off the bar from a narrow angle, a cross from the right found Osula unmarked from inches out, allowing him to roll the ball in and give the Red and Whites a timely equaliser.
One each was how it stood at HT, immediately after which van Bommel could have restored Jong Oranje’s lead, only for Jungdal to produce a fine save. Osula succeeded where he failed barely a minute later, as Isak Jensen flicked past Ian Maatsen and slid in Osula via Oscar Fraulo.
With the Dutch again caught out at the back, the Newcastle prospect fired first time into the corner to complete his double, while putting Michael Reiziger’s proud record of just a single defeat at the Netherlands U21’s helm (W14, D3) under more threat than ever.
The Netherlands desperately needed to step up, and not long after Jungdal pulled off an impressive stop to prevent Kenneth Taylor from restoring parity, Ohio forced a point-blank block from Lucas Hey, who was practically on the goalline after the ball deflected to the Dutch forward.
After a poor first touch, he was then blocked by Gaaei at the end of another attack, and found himself hooked off moments later. His withdrawal – and that of Poku, after he had hit the post a minute earlier – was surely met with inner relief by a Danish defence under constant pressure.
Another great stop from Jungdal to thwart Thom van Bergen then signified Denmark’s intent to defend to a man, as did earlier OG scorer Provstgaard when blocking a run and attempted shot from substitute Million Manhoef.
Manhoef would also hit the side netting with 10 to play, and when Devyne Rensch’s shot saw his low effort saved by Jungdal and fall to Bjorn Meijer, an equaliser seemed inevitable. However, the Club Brugge man fired wildly over.
The Danish defence remained stubborn until the FT whistle confirmed their safe passage – for only a third time in seven Euro U21 appearances – with a match to spare. As for the Netherlands, they now have to beat Ukraine to have any chance of joining the Red and White in the knockout stage.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Will Osula (Denmark)