Netherlands seal top spot against Austria

The Netherlands are assured of a place in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs after a commanding 4-1 victory against ten-man Austria.

The hosts' stronghold on group 10 never looked under threat in a game they controlled with confidence. Captain Bram Nuytinck set them on their way after eight minutes, before Genero Zeefuik doubled their lead. Georginio Wijnaldum made it three seven minutes before the break, and although Marcel Sabitzer reduced the deficit, Austria's misery was soon compounded by Rick ten Voorde.

Cor Pot's Netherlands knew victory would seal top spot in the section, and any tension was eased when Nuytinck turned in Adam Maher's centre. A second goal came 20 minutes later when Zeefuik finished with aplomb, and things got worse for the visitors when Wijnaldum was upended in the penalty area. The Feyenoord forward saw his spot kick saved by Jörg Siebenhandl but reacted quickly to turn in the rebound.

Austria emerged after the break with renewed promise but their task became trickier still when Martin Hinteregger was shown a second yellow card. Undeterred, Austria found some solace through Sabitzer's simple finish on 56 minutes. Their relief was short lived, however, as Voorde latched on to Wijnaldum's incisive pass and steered the ball past Siebenhandl.