Marco Verratti scores late equalizer as Italy draws 1-1 with experimental Netherlands team

AMSTERDAM – Marco Verratti scored a 92nd minute equalizer as Italy salvaged a 1-1 draw against an experimental Netherlands team in a friendly on Wednesday.

Jeremain Lens gave the Netherlands a deserved lead in the 33rd minute and Italy did not look capable of clawing its way back into the match until a frenetic final few minutes were capped by Verratti’s close-range strike.

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, described this week by Silvio Berlusconi’s brother as his family’s “little black boy,” had a quiet night, his only clear-cut chance coming on the half hour when he controlled a well-weighted ball from Andrea Pirlo on his chest but fired wide from the edge of the penalty area.

He was substituted after an hour.

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