Blind double lifts Dutch

Daley Blind showed he has inherited plenty of talent from his famous father Danny as he struck twice from distance to take the Netherlands to the top of UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B and end the hopes of Iceland.

Mixed news
It was no easy task tonight for the Netherlands as for the first time in the tournament, the sun disappeared behind dark clouds, the wind swirled and rain even started to fall. But Blind, suspended for the opening 2-2 draw with hosts Belgium, marked his return with two goals and Marko Matic then confirmed a victory which means the Dutch need only draw with England on Monday in Tubize to reach the semi-finals. However, a late ankle injury may end Blind's tournament here.

Free-kick goal
Iceland, urged on by a vocal set of fans including a number of relatives, began more confidently than in their 2-0 defeat by England on Wednesday, buoyed by the comeback of their prolific goalscoring hero in qualifying Kolbeinn Sigthórsson from a hip injury. But after a very quiet first 22 minutes, the Netherlands struck out of the blue. There seemed little danger from a free-kick wide on the right but Blind swung in a ball that Vignir Jóhannesson could not stop. However Jóhannesson, continuing in goal following Trausti Sigurbjörnsson's head injury two days ago, stopped a close-range Nacer Barazite effort soon after and then dived to deny Genero Zeefuik.

Blind blow
The first 12 minutes of the second half produced little goalmouth action, but Blind then doubled the lead with another superb effort. Teed up by Barazite from the right, the No6 let fly from 20 metres with another unstoppable shot. With 15 minutes left Blind curled another free-kick just past the post, and then he limped off following a heavy challenge, and has a suspected twisted ankle.

Clincher
However, substitute Matic showed he had been watching his team-mate closely as he swung in a left-wing free-kick that slipped through the grasp of Jóhannesson. Iceland cannot reach the last four but a win against Belgium in Tournai on Monday would earn them a play-off A for fifth place and a possible FIFA U-17 World Cup berth. The Netherlands will have to face England without Zeefuik, who was booked for the second time in the tournament and is suspended.