Sigurdsson helps Iceland take historic Dutch scalp
Monday, October 13, 2014
Article summary
Iceland 2-0 Netherlands
The hosts beat the Dutch for the first time in their history thanks to a Gylfi Sigurdsson double which maintained a perfect Group A record.
Article top media content
Article body
• Iceland beat Netherlands for first time in their history
• Two Gylfi Sigurdsson goals enough to see off Dutch
• Hosts maintain perfect record in Group A to sit level with Czech Republic
• Oranje six points off pace after two defeats in three
• Next games: Czech Republic v Iceland, Netherlands v Latvia (16 November)
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.