The Netherlands’ hopes of a dramatic rescue act in the Euro 2016 qualification evaporated as they conceded two first-half goals and eventually lost 3-2 at home to the 10-man Czech Republic team on Tuesday.
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The Dutch knew only victory would do in the Amsterdam Arena and even then they needed third-placed Turkey to lose to Iceland to clinch third place themselves and a play-off spot in Group A.
The game in Riga finished after Turkey’s match in Istanbul ended.
The win, coupled with a 1-0 victory for Kazakhstan in Latvia, saw Turkey finish as the best third-placed side, automatically qualifying them for the tournament in France.
The Czechs were already leading 2-0 through goals from Pavel Kaderabek and Josef Sural when Suchy got his marching orders, and then a Robin van Persie own goal in the 66th minute put the visitors 3-0 up.
Blind’s side began with the gusto of a team who believed and Anwar El Ghazi should have opened the scoring within 40 seconds when he was slid in down the right-hand side, but he drilled straight at the keeper when he had time to carry the ball closer.
It made for agonising viewing for Hungary, who had been poised to progress as the best third-placed side.
In Group H, Norway seemed to have automatic qualification in the bag when they led Italy in Rome. Now they must come through the play-offs – the draw is on Sunday – next month if they are to reach a first major finals since the 1986 World Cup.
Alessandro Florenzi equalised for Italy before Southampton’s Graziano Pelle struck the late victor, while Croatia beat Malta thanks to a solitary Ivan Perisic goal, leaving Norway to settle for a play-off place.
In Group B, Belgium and Wales finished one-two following respective homes wins over Israel and Andorra, with Bosnia-Herzegovina taking third place behind them.
The other game in Group H saw Bulgaria end a disappointing campaign with a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan in Sofia, with Mihail Alexandrov and Dimitar Rangelov on target.
Medunjanin crashed home a timely second and substitute Milan Djuric dispatched a decisive header midway through the second half.
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The victory ensured that the Belgians will jump to No. 1 in the Federation Internationale de Football Association world rankings.
