Netherlands break down Luxembourg to go clear

The Netherlands moved three points clear of Slovakia in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 3 with two games to go but only after forcing their way past a determined Luxembourg side in Maastricht.

Albert Stuivenberg's side moved level with Slovakia last week thanks to a 6-1 win in Scotland, and played their game in hand tonight. For 54 minutes there was no breakthrough but then in quick succession FC Twente duo Luc Castaignos and Quincy Promes both scored. Glenn Borges immediately pulled one back but then Promes struck again, all four goals coming in the space of seven minutes.

Promes, who also scored a hat-trick in Scotland, is now on seven qualifying goals, and the Netherlands need only four points from the visits of Georgia on 4 September and Slovakia four days later to top the section and ensure a play-off position. Luxembourg were already out, but this was another promising show after the 1-1 draw in Georgia in March (later awarded to Luxembourg as a 3-0 forfeit win), and they will hope to end qualifying on a high against Scotland on 8 September.