Iceland and Wales moved a step closer towards an historic qualification to a first major finals after clinching away victories in the Netherlands and Cyprus last night.

A lacklustre performance saw Croatia held to a 0-0 stalemate in Azerbaijan to lose top spot in Group H after Italy’s 1-0 win over Malta in Florence.

In Amsterdam, Iceland scored a controversial 1-0 victory over 10-man Netherlands.

The 51st minute spot kick looked to be a harsh decision against Gregory van der Wiel, who got to the ball with his tackle as Birkir Bjarnason tumbled over his feet.

But Sigurdsson squeezed the penalty under Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to take the North Atlantic island nation to the brink of a first major championship appearance.

Iceland completed a double over the Dutch in Group A and moved to 18 points, their lead in the standings staying at two over the second-placed Czech Republic who came from behind to beat Kazakhstan 2-1.

In Group B, Gareth Bale’s late header gave Wales a 1-0 win over Cyprus and kept them on course for their first major finals since 1958.

Wales, who have 17 points, can clinch a place at the finals in France if they beat Israel at home on Sunday. Belgium are second on 14 after beating Bosnia 3-1.

Real Madrid forward Bale gave Cyprus keeper Antonis Georgallides no chance as he powerfully met Aaron Ramsey‘s cross from the right after 82 minutes.

Wales thought they had taken the lead in the 27th when David Edwards headed home a Bale cross but their joy was short-lived as Polish referee Szymon Marciniak disallowed the goal ruling that forward Hal Robson-Kanu had pushed a defender.

Cyprus, harbouring hopes of a third-place finish which brings a playoff spot, matched Wales for most of the first hour before fading but came close to an equaliser after 87 minutes when substitute Pieros Sotiriou’s attempt went just wide.

In Brussels, Belgium, who lost away to group leaders Wales in June, had a wealth of possession but struggled to break down a well-organised Bosnia side, who also threatened on the break with the ever menacing Edin Dzeko.

Indeed, it was Dzeko who opened the scoring, floating in a header after Mensur Mujdza had been allowed to advance unchallenged. It was Dzeko’s fifth goal against Belgium.

Marouane Fellaini’s thundering header from a corner and a sharp turn and shot from De Bruyne gave Belgium a one-goal cushion.

But Belgium needed keeper Thibaut Courtois in top form to save a cracking drive from Haris Medunjanin until Eden Hazard won and converted a penalty in the 78th minute to calm home nerves.

Croatia held

Former Croatia midfielder Robert Prosinecki stretched his unbeaten run as Azerbaijan coach to three games after a well-organized home side held his compatriots at bay.

The Croatians found no way through a packed Azeri defence and missed their best chance in the second minute, when striker Mario Mandzukic scuffed his shot wide from close range.

Winger Ivan Perisic forced a good save from goalkeeper Kamran Agayev and then hit the crossbar with a miscued cross early in the second half as the visitors piled on the pressure.

Lively 20-year old forward Marko Pjaca, making his first start for Croatia, created a sitter for Mateo Kovacic in the 70th minute but the Real Madrid midfielder missed the target from 10 metres.

Croatia‘s frustration grew in the closing stages as even the simple passes started going astray and they looked a pale shadow of the side that beat Azerbaijan 6-0 at home in the reverse fixture last October.

The Croatians, who have been deducted one point by UEFA after the shape of swastika was carved onto their pitch before their match against Italy in Split in June, are away to Norway on Sunday in their next qualifier while Azerbaijan play Malta.

Group A

Czech Rep. 2
Skoda 74, 86;
Kazakhstan 1
Logvinenko 21;

Netherlands 0
Iceland 1
Sigurdsson 51 pen.;

Red card: Martins Indi (N) 33.

Turkey 1
Inan 77;
Latvia 1
Sabala 90;

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Iceland	7	6	0	1	15	3	18
Czech Rep.	7	5	1	1	14	9	16
Netherlands	7	3	1	3	13	7	10
Turkey	7	2	3	2	8	9	9
Latvia	7	0	4	3	3	14	4
Kazakhstan	7	0	1	6	5	16	1

Group B

Belgium 3
Fellaini 23; De Bruyne 44; Hazard 78 pen.;
Bosnia 1
Dzeko 15;

Cyprus 0
Wales 1
Bale 82;

Israel 4
Zahavi 3; Biton 22; Hemed 26 pen.; Dabbur 38;
Andorra 0

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Wales	7	5	2	0	9	2	17
Belgium	7	4	2	1	16	3	14
Israel	7	4	0	3	14	9	12
Cyprus	7	3	0	4	12	12	9
Bosnia	7	2	2	3	9	10	8
Andorra	7	0	0	7	3	27	0

Group H

Azerbaijan 0
Croatia 0

Bulgaria 0
Norway 1
Forren 57;

Italy 1
Pellè 69;
Malta 0

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Italy	7	4	3	0	10	5	15
Croatia (-1)	7	4	3	0	16	13	14
Norway	7	4	1	2	8	8	13
Bulgaria	7	2	2	3	7	8	8
Azerbaijan	7	1	2	4	4	11	5
Malta	7	0	1	6	1	11	1

Group D
Georgia vs Scotland (18.00)
Germany vs Poland (20.45)
Gibraltar vs Ireland (20.45)

Group F
Faroe Islands vs N. Ireland (20.45)
Greece vs Finland (20.45)
Hungary vs Romania (20.45)

Group I
Denmark vs Albania (20.45)
Serbia vs Armenia (20.45)

Friendly
Portugal vs France (20.45)