Netherlands suffer Euro 2016 setback

The Netherlands' hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2016 took a huge blow as Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty gave Iceland a 1-0 win in Amsterdam.

The Dutch had Bruno Martins Indi sent off in the first half after clashing with Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.

Iceland were then awarded a penalty early in the second half, which Swansea midfielder Sigurdsson converted.

The Netherlands are third in Group A, six points behind Czech Republic and another two off group leaders Iceland.

About 1% of Iceland's entire population travelled to Amsterdam as 3,000 fans watched the 1-0 win

Iceland, who have never reached a major tournament finals before, are top with 18 points.

"We are all flying now," said co-coach Heimir Hallgrimsson. "This is the biggest achievement in our football history."

Iceland, who beat the Netherlands 2-0 in Reykjavik, can guarantee their place at Euro 2016 with a home win over Kazakhstan on Sunday.

The defeat for the Netherlands, meanwhile, marked a disappointing start to his career as national team boss for Danny Blind, who replaced Guus Hiddink last month and now has only three games to turn around their qualifying campaign.

Third place would be enough for a play-off spot, although the Dutch are only one point above fourth-placed Turkey, who drew 1-1 with Latvia.

Czech Republic strengthened their hold on second place by coming from behind to beat Kazakhstan 2-1.

Pelle gives Italy the edge

Graziano Pelle also scored when Italy beat Malta by the same scoreline in the reverse fixture

Meanwhile, Southampton striker Graziano Pelle scored in the second half as Italy beat Malta 1-0 in Group H.

Italy's main rivals for top spot Croatia were held to a goalless draw by Azerbaijan.

Norway remain third after seeing off Bulgaria 1-0, Vegard Forren scoring the only goal of the game.

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)

Netherlands

01 Cillessen
02 Van der Wiel Booked
03 de Vrij
04 Martins Indi Dismissed
05 Blind
06 Klaassen
08 Wijnaldum (Promes - 80' )
11 Robben (Narsingh - 31' )
10 Sneijder Booked
07 Depay
09 Huntelaar (Bruma - 41' )

Substitutes

12 Tete
13 Bruma
14 Riedewald
15 Kongolo
16 Anita
17 Narsingh
18 de Jong
19 van Persie
20 Afellay
21 Promes
22 Krul
23 Zoet

Iceland

01 Halldórsson
02 Saevarsson Booked
14 Arnason Booked
06 Sigurdsson
23 Skúlason
07 Berg Gudmundsson
10 Sigurdsson
17 Gunnarsson (Skulason - 87' )
08 Bjarnason
09 Sigthorsson Booked (Gudjohnsen - 64' )
15 Bodvarsson (Finnbogason - 78' )

Substitutes

03 Jónasson
04 Jonsson
05 Ottesen
11 Finnbogason
12 Kristinsson
13 Gunnleifsson
16 Sigurjonsson
18 Bjarnason
19 Gíslason
20 Skulason
21 Kjartansson
22 Gudjohnsen

Ref: Milorad Mazic

Match Stats

Possession66 34

Shots

17 10

On target

9 3

Corners

7 2

Fouls

8 8

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Netherlands 0, Iceland 1.

90:00 +3:13 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Netherlands 0, Iceland 1.

90:00 +2:39 Booking

Booking Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

90:00 +2:34

Foul by Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands).

90:00 +2:34

Olafur Skulason (Iceland) wins a free kick on the right wing.

90:00 +1:37

Attempt saved. Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Daley Blind.

86:45

Attempt saved. Davy Klaassen (Netherlands) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Quincy Promes.

86:18

Corner, Netherlands. Conceded by Birkir Bjarnason.

86:07 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Iceland. Olafur Skulason replaces Aron Gunnarsson because of an injury.

85:11

Corner, Netherlands. Conceded by Ari Freyr Skúlason.

81:00

Corner, Netherlands. Conceded by Hannes Thór Halldórsson.

80:52

Attempt saved. Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Memphis Depay.

80:10

Offside, Iceland. Eidur Gudjohnsen tries a through ball, but Alfred Finnbogason is caught offside.

79:27 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Netherlands. Quincy Promes replaces Georginio Wijnaldum.

79:11 Booking

Booking Birkir Saevarsson (Iceland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

79:10

Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) wins a free kick on the left wing.

79:10

Foul by Birkir Saevarsson (Iceland).

78:33

Attempt saved. Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Luciano Narsingh.

77:47 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Iceland. Alfred Finnbogason replaces Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.