Euro 2016 Qualifying Results: Thursday's Scores, Group Tables, Upcoming Fixtures
The Netherlands' struggles continued in the race to qualify for Euro 2016, losing 1-0 at home to Iceland in Danny Blind's first game in charge as Groups A, B and H took to the field on Thursday.
Italy and Wales ran out narrow 1-0 winners over Mediterranean minnows Malta and Cyprus, respectively, while goals from Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and Kevin De Bruyne gave Belgium a 3-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina after Edin Dzeko put his side ahead.
Read on for Thursday's results, the updated standings and the fixtures still to come in Matchday 7, as well as a recap of the day's qualifying action:
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| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Azerbaijan vs. Croatia | 0-0 |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Bulgaria vs. Norway | 0-1 |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Italy vs. Malta | 1-0 |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Czech Republic vs. Kazakhstan | 2-1 |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Netherlands vs. Iceland | 0-1 |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Turkey vs. Latvia | 1-1 |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Belgium vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3-1 |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Cyprus vs. Wales | 0-1 |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | Israel vs. Andorra | 4-0 |
| 1 | Iceland | 18 | Wales | 17 | Italy | 15 |
| 2 | Czech Republic | 16 | Belgium | 14 | Croatia | 14 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 10 | Israel | 12 | Norway | 13 |
| 4 | Turkey | 9 | Cyprus | 9 | Bulgaria | 8 |
| 5 | Latvia | 4 | Bosnia | 8 | Azerbaijan | 5 |
| 6 | Kazakhstan | 1 | Andorra | 0 | Malta | 1 |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Georgia vs. Scotland |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Germany vs. Poland |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Gibraltar vs. Republic of Ireland |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Faroe Islands vs. Northern Ireland |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Greece vs. Finland |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Hungary vs. Romania |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Denmark vs. Albania |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Serbia vs. Armenia |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Luxembourg vs. Macedonia |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Ukraine vs. Belarus |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Russia vs. Sweden |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | Estonia vs. Lithuania |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | 5 p.m./12 p.m. | San Marino vs. England |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Switzerland vs. Slovenia |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Austria vs. Moldova |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Montenegro vs. Liechtenstein |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Spain vs. Slovakia |
Recap
Bruno Martins Indi's early red card ensured it was a difficult night for the Netherlands, who failed to impress as Blind oversaw his first game as manager of the Oranje.
The defender was sent off after just half an hour following a clash with Kolbeinn Sigthorsson. The pair came together in a strong collision that saw both players hit the deck, and while still on the ground, Martins Indi swung his arm into the Icelandic player.
As OptaJohan noted, the red card means the centre-back is now the holder of an unwanted record:
The Dutch gave away a penalty in the second half when Gregory van der Wiel clumsily brought down Birkir Bjarnason, and Gylfi Sigurdsson duly converted the spot-kick.
The home side pressed in search of an equaliser and forced some excellent saves from Hannes Halldorsson, but Iceland hung on and now top Group A with 18 points.
A narrow, laboured 1-0 victory over Malta was enough for Italy, who move to the top of Group H.
The Azzurri struggled for fluency and rhythm up front for most of the proceedings, with beIN Sports' Matteo Bonetti hypothesising that Antonio Conte's uninspiring squad selection was the cause:
Malta created nothing of their own though, so when Graziano Pelle tucked home Antonio Candreva's cross from close range well into the second half, there was never any doubt Italy that would see out the game.
Wales were far from their best as they took on Cyprus, but they grabbed a deserved 1-0 win away from home.
The Welsh were poor in the opening 45 minutes, with Aaron Ramsey particularly guilty of some sloppy play, per OptaJoe:
Chris Coleman's side were unlucky not to be 1-0 up at half-time though, as they had a perfectly good goal inexplicably disallowed.
The marauding Gareth Bale whipped in an excellent cross from the right wing that Dave Edwards rose to head home, but the goal was ruled out supposedly due to a push in the build-up.
Bale made the difference late in the second half, though, as he rocketed home a powerful header from Jazz Richards' delivery.
Group B rivals Belgium came from behind to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1, but the three points ensures Wales remain top of the standings with an incredible 17 points.
The Dragons have gone from strength to strength under Gary Speed and now Coleman, and from Thursday's result appear to have added the ability to grind out "ugly" wins to their locker as well.
Expect Wales to continue their outstanding form and qualify for the European Championship for the first time.
