Promes treble sets Netherlands on way

The Netherlands put on a display of clinical finishing to put themselves in control of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 3.

Quincy Promes scored a first-half hat-trick and Karim Rekik increased the lead before substitite Hakim Ziyech added two within four minutes of his introduction and Steve May managed a consolation. Albert Stuivenberg's side are now level on points with Slovakia, but have a game in hand against Luxembourg in Maastricht on Tuesday.

Scotland actually started the brighter as they looked to move level with the Netherlands and within three points of Slovakia. But Promes opened the scoring on 26 minutes with a fine solo run and finish. John McGinn immediately hit the post but in the last five minutes of the first half Promes twice more showed his touch and finishing prowess after being set up by Rekik and then Marco van Ginkel.

Promes turned provider in the 50th minute as his corner found the head of Van Ginkel, whose effort was cleared off the line but turned in by Rekik. Ziyech was brought on in the 75th minute and soon produced a thunderous volley to make it five, and then struck in similar fashion, from closer angle, after a cross from fellow substitute Ola John.

May pounced on a Sven Beek slip to pull one back for Scotland in the 85th minute, but Scotland's slim hopes now lie on winning in Slovakia on 4 September and Luxembourg four days later, and hoping other results go their way. The Netherlands know that if they beat Luxembourg, a play-off place will almost be theirs with the visits of Georgia and Slovakia to come in September.