Holland 0-1 Iceland: Horror start for Danny Blind as Gylfi Sigurdsson strikes from spot after Bruno Martins Indi sent off

• Holland lost ground in their bid to secure automatic qualification for Euro 2016 as they were beaten in Amsterdam
• Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the only goal of the game for Iceland from the penalty spot in the 51st minute
• Holland defender Bruno Martins Indi had earlier been sent off following clash with Iceland striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson

By Reuters

Published: 16:20 EST, 3 September 2015 | Updated: 10:48 EST, 4 September 2015

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 Holland on Thursday.

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. 

Wesley Sneijder shows his disappointment as Iceland celebrate victory at the Amsterdam ArenA

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, two ahead of second-placed Czech Republic. The Dutch are third on 10 points.

Iceland can now book a place at Euro 2016 by claiming a home win over Kazakhstan on Sunday.

The home defeat provided a horror start for new coach Danny Blind. 

His predecessor Guus Hiddink quit because of the team's unconvincing performances earlier in the campaign, including the 2-0 defeat in Iceland in October.

Robin van Persie, who led the attack at the World Cup in Brazil just over a year ago, was left on the bench by Blind. 

Arjen Robben demands more effort from his team-mates as they slipped to a damaging defeat

The Dutch management team of Marco Van Basten (left), head coach Danny Blind and Ruud van Nistelrooy

Robin van Persie was all smiles before the game despite being dropped to the bench

Iceland were awarded a penalty after Gregory van der Wiel  fouled Birkir Bjarnason

Iceland's Gylfi Sigurdsson, left, scored the winner from the penalty spot on Thursday night

New Holland captain Arjen Robben went off after just 27 minutes with a groin problem

New captain Arjen Robben and midfielder Wesley Sneijder put together some lively combinations early on but the injury-prone winger went off after 27 minutes with a groin problem.

There were more Dutch woes six minutes later when Bruno Martins Indi lashed out at Iceland striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson as both tumbled to the ground and the Dutch defender was sent off.

Blind's men created few chances until late on when goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson made good stops from Georginio Wijnaldum and Sneijder 

The visitors went close to a second goal when Johann Gudmundsson struck the upright with a curling drive after being teed up by Bjarnason.

Iceland took 3,000 fans to Amsterdam, around one percent of the small Nordic island nation's population. 

'We are all flying now,' said Norway co-coach Heimir Hallgrimsson.

'This is the biggest achievement in our football history.' 

'They were well organised, very structured and difficult to break down,' said Blind. 'The turning point was the red card. I think Martins Indi acted unbelievably unprofessionally.' 

Manchester United's Memphis Depay was unable to find a way through the Iceland defence

Iceland's players celebrate winning their memorable victory at the Amsterdam ArenA

Comments (197)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

Enter your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Submit Comment Clear

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now