Verschuren's stoppage-time header rescues Sparta and lifts them to eighth | OneFootball

Sparta Rotterdam 3-3 Utrecht at Het Kasteel, Nick Verschuren equalising in second half stoppage time as Sparta rise from 14th to eighth while Utrecht slip to 14th.

In the 16th minute Matisse Didden headed Utrecht in front from Yoann Cathline's corner. Marvin Young levelled for Sparta on the stroke of half time (45.) with a header from Bas Kuipers' delivery.

After the restart Artem Stepanov restored the visitors' lead from close range (46.). Milan Zonneveld drilled in an equaliser from Shunsuke Mito's through ball (67.), before substitute Adrian Blake swept Utrecht ahead again (76.). Verschuren then glanced in Joel Ideho's cross in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time.

Vasilis Barkas was busy late, saving a Milan Zonneveld header in second half stoppage time and then holding Casper Terho's effort in the closing moments.

Utrecht finished the game with Kevin Paredes off injured after they had used all their substitutions.

Sparta had 55.9% possession and registered 14 attempts, with five on target. Utrecht tallied 16 attempts and won seven corners. Blake's strike moves him top of the Eredivisie scoring chart with two goals.

Next, Sparta visit Excelsior. Utrecht host PSV.