Holland beaten as Iceland take step closer to qualification

Controversial Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty secures shock 1-0 win in Amsterdam

Holland were beaten 1-0 by Iceland in Amsterdam. Photograph: Afp
Holland were beaten 1-0 by Iceland in Amsterdam. Photograph: Afp

Iceland moved a step closer to clinching a berth at Euro 2016 after a controversial penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson secured a shock 1-0 victory over 10-man Netherlands in Amsterdam.

The referee awarded the spot kick in the 51st minute even though Gregory van der Wiel seemed to win the ball in a challenge with Birkir Bjarnason.

Sigurdsson squeezed the penalty under goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to take Iceland to the brink of their first major championship finals.

It completed a fairytale double over the Dutch in Group A as Iceland took their points total to 18. They can now book a place at the finals by scoring a home win over Kazakhstan on Sunday.

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The home defeat provided a horror start for new coach Danny Blind, who left Robin van Persie on the bench.

The Netherlands were down to ten men from the 33rd minute when Bruno Martins Indi lashed out at Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and was shown a red card.

Belgium defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 in Group B to remain three points behind Wales.

Roma striker Edin Dzeko put Bosnia ahead in the 15th minute before Marouane Fellaini and new Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne put the hosts 2-1 ahead at half-time in Brussels.

Eden Hazard sealed the win from the penalty spot in the 78th minute.