Middlesbrough's Under-21s drew 1-1 with Belgian side Genk at the Riverside in their first Premier League International Cup fixture. Ezra Tika-Lemba scored a dramatic equaliser in the 94th minute to secure a share of the spoils for Mark Tinkler's side.
Genk took the lead in the 20th minute through Kayden Pierre, who received a slip pass from Moussa Kone and dinked the ball over Boro goalkeeper Owen Foster. The visitors' early pressure included an impressive block from James Wilson to deny Dieudonne Djoully Nzoko, who also struck the bar with a powerful effort.
Boro's Second-Half Resistance
Middlesbrough responded with a strong spell and created two decent openings. Law McCabe curled an attempt over the bar, while Lord Listowell Hinneh was denied by a block. Wilson produced another fine block from Nzoko six minutes before half-time, and Foster made a sharp save from Jelle Driessen.
Genk dominated the start of the second half, but Foster repeatedly kept Boro in the game. He made a terrific one-handed stop from Kiyan Achahbar and another point-blank save from the same player. Driessen crashed a shot against the post, and Foster denied Pierre a second goal as the hosts weathered sustained pressure.
Late Drama and Equaliser
Rio Patterson-Powell threatened an equaliser when he curled wide after cutting in from the left. A minute into stoppage time, substitute Frankie Coulson was played in on goal, but Mariyan Boev saved and Genk looked set to take the points.
The dramatic turnaround came on 94 minutes when Tika-Lemba finished well to earn his side a draw and reward their persistence through the match.
