Sigurdsson helps Iceland take historic Dutch scalp
Iceland enjoyed one of the most famous victories in their history as a Gylfi Sigurdsson double inspired the hosts to a first win against the Netherlands in Reykjavik.
Already on their best start to a
qualifying campaign after opening with two Group A victories, Lars
Lagerbäck's side had nothing to fear against the Dutch who sat three
points behind them after two games. On 16 minutes Iceland were handed
the chance to go ahead as Stefan de Vrij tripped Birkir Bjarnason in the
area and Sigurdsson calmly stroked the resulting penalty to Jasper
Cillessen's left.
The visitors did not panic and controlled
possession as they tried to pick holes in the Icelandic defence. Robin
van Persie did break through but was repelled by a good stop from Hannes
Halldórsson before Arjen Robben headed a great opportunity over the bar
from just five metres.
Having failed to find the net Guus
Hiddink's men were punished further as a corner from the right could not
be dealt with and it bounced up for Sigurdsson to rifle into the roof
of the net from ten metres, showing outstanding technique to keep the
effort under the crossbar.
The second half lacked the drama of the
first as Iceland shored things up at the back and refused to give the
Oranje the chance to get behind them. They even had the chance of a
third at the other end, but Jón Dadi Bödvarsson could not find the
target when ideally placed. The Nordic team nevertheless claimed a
historic win which puts them level on points with the Czech Republic at
the head of Group A, six points in front of the third-placed
Netherlands.
