What an opportunity for Kostadinov! A late attack from Bulgaria results in a corner over on the right wing. It's curled into the heart of the penalty area and finds Kostadinov completely alone, but, somehow, he sends his close-range header wide of the goal from point-blank range. He really should have buried that!
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
89'
And now Blind goes close! The full-back charges into the left-hand side of the Bulgaria box and links up nicely with Janssen, but, like Promes a couple of minutes ago, he can't quite sort out his feet in time and doesn't manage to get a shot away.
87'
Almost a chance for Promes! A looping cross from Tete, who hasn't pushed forward much this evening, manages to find its way over to Promes at the far post, but the winger can't quite make decent contact with the ball and shins the ball behind before he can shoot.
86'
M. van Ginkel enters the game and replaces D. Pröpper.
Propper receives a rousing round of applause from the home fans as he's replaced by Marco van Ginkel.
85'
Kostadinov charges towards the near post and manages to latch onto a low cross, but he's put under pressure and can't guide his shot towards goal. He half-heartedly appeals for a penalty after going down but the referee isn't at all interested.
84'
Janssen almost makes it 4-1! More good play by Propper sets up Janssen to shoot, but the striker ends up firing his 20-yard effort just wide of the far post. He just can't seem to score, no matter what he tries!
83'
I. Popov gets yellow.
Ivelin Popov catches Vilhena on the face with a flailing arm as the two battle for the ball, and he becomes the latest Bulgaria player to pick up a booking and suspension.
82'
Bulgaria quickly push forward from the restart as they try to hit the Netherlands once again, but Chochev's thumping half-volley from the edge of the Netherlands penalty area is slightly rushed and sails well wide.
80'
D. Pröpper has scored a goal for Netherlands! Assist by Q. Promes.
That was lovely play by Promes, who did really well to shake off a defender before finding Propper. Bulgaria's defending was poor, though, as they left the Brighton man all alone on the edge of the six-yard box.
GOAL! The Netherlands have surely wrapped up all three points! Promes twists and turns over on the left-hand side of the penalty area before chipping a lovely cross over to Propper, who, completely free in front of goal, manages to send a glancing header into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Minute
Description
79'
The resulting free-kick is lumped into the penalty area and quickly turns into the corner, but the set-piece is poorly hit and fails to find an orange shirt at the near post.
78'
I. Chochev gets yellow.
Chochev brings down Robben from behind and gives away a free-kick midway inside the Bulgaria half of the pitch before receiving a booking that rules him out of his side's next game.
77'
The Netherlands are really pushing hard as they try to re-establish their two-goal lead. As long as the scoreline remains as it is, Bulgaria have a real chance of getting back into the game and equalising late on.
75'
Janssen does well to spin round his marker just outside of the Bulgaria penalty area before managing to get a shot away, but it isn't the right choice and his swerving effort curls safely wide of the far post.
73'
G. Milanov gets yellow.
Milanov cynically drags back Robben as the Dutchman tries to kick-start a swift counter-attack, leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a yellow card.
72'
The Netherlands quickly come back again through Robben, who cuts inside from the right wing on a determined run. He manages to reach the box and shoots, but his thumping effort is well stopped by Iliev at the near post.
71'
Propper is almost set up to re-establish the Netherlands' two-goal lead, but another clever ball from Blind rolls just in front of him and Bulgaria are just about able to deal with the danger.
69'
G. Kostadinov has scored a goal for Bulgaria! Assist by I. Popov.
GOAL! Bulgaria are back in the game! The visitors quickly push forward from the restart and win themselves a free-kick 25 yards away from goal. Ivelin Popov, who has been very quiet tonight, steps up and curls a cross into the peantly area, where it grazes the back of Kostadinov and bounces into the far corner. Game on!
That was a lovely free-kick from Popov, but the Netherlands really should have done better. The marking inside the box was terrible, leaving several white shirts completely free in front of goal.
67'
A. Robben has scored a goal for Netherlands! Assist by D. Blind.
That was a wonderful low cross from Blind. The Manchester United man has performed really well today, and the Bulgaria back line have really struggled to deal with him whenever he's bombed forward.
GOAL! The Netherlands have doubled their lead! Great play by the home side over on the left-hand side of the Bulgaria box sets up Blind to cross, and once again he's able to set up a team-mate to prod home. This time it's Robben who beats his marker and makes it 2-0 with a close-range toe-poke.
65'
Space opens up for Tete over on the right wing after a half-hearted Bulgaria attacking move comes to an end, but a promising counter-attack is brought to a disappointing end by Propper, who accidentally handles the ball on the edge of the box as he tries to control it under pressure.
64'
Bulgaria are able to push forward on a rare foray into the Netherlands half of the pitch, resulting in a corner over on the left flank. It's fired over to the far post and finds Kostadinov, who goes down under a challenge from Stefan de Vrij but fails to win his side a penalty. The referee didn't look too pleased with that.
62'
Another good chance for the Netherlands! A decent cross from Blind curls into the middle of the Bulgaria penalty area and picks out Promes, who gets a head on the ball but can't keep his headed effort down. The home side really need to find a second goal, and quickly.
61'
A. Galabinov enters the game and replaces S. Manolev.
Bulgaria have made their third and final substitution of the evening, with Andrey Galabinov coming on to replace Manolev.
60'
Almost an opportunity for Janssen! Really good play by Propper sets him up to fire a low cross into the box and towards the Tottenham striker, but, despite his best efforts, he can't quite reach the ball with his outstretched leg.
59'
Promes swings the resulting free-kick into the heart of the Bulgaria penalty area and towards a group of orange shirts, but his cross is slightly overhit and easily punched away by Iliev.
58'
S. Manolev gets yellow.
The referee's yellow card is out once again, and this tiem it's for a cynical barge off the ball by Manolev, who has given away a free-kick in a dangerous position over on the left wing.
56'
Big chance for Janssen! The striker charges into the left-hand side of the Bulgaria and manages to get a shot away, but his strike is really poorly hit and sails comfortably wide of the far post. He really should have done better with that!
54'
T. Vilhena gets yellow.
Ouch! Vilhena slides into Slavchev as he tries to halt the midfielder's run down the right wing, but he ends up catching the Bulgarian with a late challenge and earns himself a yellow card.
52'
Hoedt pushes into the Bulgaria half of the pitch and tries to pick out Blind with a long pass down the left flank, but the two aren't on the same wavelength and the centre-back's ball forward rolls harmlessly out of play for a goal-kick.
50'
Blind really has caused all sorts of problems for Bulgaria deep down the left flank. Once again he charges forward and fires a great low cross into the box, but it flies just past two Netherlands players before Robben loses out on th edge of the box.
48'
It's been another comfortable opening couple of minutes for the Netherlands, who are patiently knocking the ball around inside the Bulgaria half of the pitch as they try to find an opening. As was the case before the break, the visitors look content to sit deep and soak up the pressure before countering quickly.
46'
G. Milanov enters the game and replaces A. Zehirov.
Bulgaria have decided to make another change, with Atanas Zehirov making way for Georgi Milanov.
We're underway once again!
45' +1
The Netherlands able to carve out one final chance on goal after some lovely, quick passing on the edge of the Bulgaria box, but Robben ends up firing his curling strike well wide of the goal after being well set up by Propper.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
Janssen charges down the left wing and links up well with Blind. He then tries to pick out Propper with a quick cross into the heart of the box, but it's slightly mishit by the striker and can't find its target.
43'
More good play by Blind almost results in a chance on goal for the home side, but Robben's rocket of a shot from just outside of the penalty area is charged down and fails to trouble Iliev.
41'
And now Wijnaldum goes close! Blind manages to carve out a pocket of space for himself deep down the left wing before swinging a looping cross right onto the head of Wijnaldum, who can't quite make decent contact with the ball and is unable to hit the target with his header.
39'
Promes gets himself into a good position inside the Bulgaria box and latches onto a nice cross from Robben. He chests the ball down and shoots, but, off balance, he ends up firing his rushed half-volley high over the top of the crossbar.
37'
After dealing with the danger, the Netherlands try to break away on a quick counter-attack down the right flank. Robben does well to dart forward before trying to play a quick one-two with Propper, but the midfielder's pass back to the Bayern Munich man is poor and can only find Bozhikov.
36'
Bulgaria win themselves a free-kick just inside the hosts' half of the pitch, and it quickly results in a corner over on the right wing. It's swung in low and deflects out to Manolav, who quickly shoots from 20 yards out but can't direct his thumping strike through a sea of orange shirts.
34'
Janssen goes close! The striker isn't closed down quickly enough, allowing him to get a shot away from 20 yards out. It's well hit by the Tottenham Hotspur man but trickles just wide of the near post.
33'
G. Terziev gets yellow.
The yellow card is out for the first time, and it's Georgi Terziev who finds himself on the receiving end of it after clattering into the back of Janssen with a poorly timed sliding challenge.
31'
Bulgaria are growing in confidence as the game wears on, but they're struggling to do much with the ball when they find themselves in promising positions. After their early scare, the Netherlands are now defending well when called into action.
29'
Space opens up for Wijnaldum and allows him to charge forward on a purposeful run. He then knocks a clever pass over to Janssen, who is in an equally good amount of space, but the striker can't get his feet sorted in time and misses out the chance to shoot from just outside of the box.
28'
Promes does well out wide as he causes plenty of problems for the Bulgaria back line. He then cuts towards the edge of the penalty area and picks out Propper, who tries to quickly move the ball on to Janssen but immediately finds himself crowded out by white shirts.
26'
Propper knocks a clever pass into the left-hand side of the Bulgaria box and towards the on-rushing Promes, but Iliev is just about able to dart out and dive on the ball before the winger can get a shot away from close range.
25'
S. Slavchev enters the game and replaces A. Tsvetkov.
Bulgaria seem to have decided to make a tactical change at this relatively early stage of the game, and it's Simeon Slavchev who has come on to replace Aleksandar Tsvetkov.
23'
After another lengthy period on the back foot, Bulgaria are able to push forward once again. They work the ball around nicely over on the left flank before Stanislav Manolev cuts inside, but Blind is there to deal with the danger easily enough.
21'
A mistimed challenge from behind by Stanislav Manolev catches Blind and results in a free-kick for the home side in a promising position. It's driven in and flies towards Janssen, but Bozhikov is there to clear the danger without too many problems.
19'
Georginio Wijnaldum is closed down quickly just outside of the Bulgaria penalty area, denying him a way into the box. He does well to shake off a defender before spinning and trying to pick out Robben, but his pass is slightly mishit and rolls out of play for a throw-in.
17'
Georgi Kostadinov hits the post! Bulgaria's first attack of the game almost results in an equaliser. Strahil Popov does really well to skip down the right wing before chipping a cross right onto the head of Kostadinov, who rises high but can't find the back of the net after beating Jasper Cillessen with his bouncing header.
15'
It's been an excellent opening quarter of an hour for the Netherlands, who are comfortably on top and causing all sorts of problems for Bulgaria. The visitors have barely had a chance to push forward, leaving them camped deep inside their own half of the pitch.
13'
Vital touch by Iliev! Janssen wrestles his way past his marker as he charges into the left-hand side of the Bulgaria box. He then looks set to tee up Propper with an excellent cross, but Iliev is just about able to get a hand on the ball to tip it away from the on-rushing Brighton & Hove Albion man.
11'
The Netherlands continue their good start to the game as they keep putting plenty of early pressure on the Bulgaria back line, but Propper is unable to find a way into the visitors' penalty area after storming forward on a marauding run.
9'
Vilhena is brought crashing to the ground by a mistimed sliding challenge, resulting in a free-kick for the Netherlands in a promising position 30 yards away from goal. Robben steps up and swings a cross right onto the head of Wesley Hoedt, but the centre-back is penalised for a push on Petar Zanev as soon as he makes contact with the ball.
7'
D. Pröpper has scored a goal for Netherlands! Assist by D. Blind.
GOAL! What a start for the Netherlands! The hosts move the ball around really nicely as Janssen and Daley Blind link up well out wide. The full-back then cuts inside and fizzes a great pass across the face of goal, setting up Propper to easily tap the ball into the back of the net from just a few yards out.
That really was wonderful play by Blind, who easily beat two Bulgaria defenders on the edge of the box before putting the ball on a plate for Propper. That's exactly the start the Netherlands would have been hoping for!
6'
Almost a great chance for Arjen Robben! A speculative, long-range strike from Tonny Vilhena fails to trouble Plamen Iliev, but it deflects into the path of Robben. The Bayern Munich man is in a great position inside the penalty area, but he can't quite get the ball out of his feet quickly enough and is eventually dispossessed before he can shoot.
5'
A curling cross from Kenny Tete finds Davy Propper, who pulls off a little back-heeled flick as he tries to knock the ball down to Janssen. It looks set to reach the striker, but Vasil Bozhikov just about manages to get his body in the way before winning a goal-kick for the visitors.
3'
After a patient start to the game, Vincent Janssen tries to link up quickly with Quincy Promes deep down the left flank. He deftly flicks the ball away from an on-rushing defender and towards the winger, but he can't quite pick him out and Bulgaria easily deal with the danger.
1'
We're off! Bulgaria get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s World Cup 2018 qualifier between the Netherlands and Bulgaria at the Amsterdam Arena.
It’s now or never for the Netherlands, who are in real danger of failing to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 2002. A 4-0 thrashing at the hands of France on Thursday has left them languishing in fourth place in Group A, six points behind Les Bleus, who lead the group, and three away from Sweden, who occupy second spot heading into their clash away to Belarus.
Life under Dick Advocaat, who is back as Netherlands manager after Danny Blind’s disastrous spell was finally brought to an end, started well enough with a 5-0 win against minnows Luxembourg, but the game away to France was their first real test, and it’s one they failed in spectacular fashion. The Oranje desperately need to win today, as another defeat would leave them five points behind Bulgaria and potentially nine from France, all but ending their chances of topping the group and automatically qualifying for Russia.
What had been a largely impressive qualifying campaign up until then for Bulgaria suffered a slight setback with a 2-1 defeat against fifth-place Belarus, but they bounced back in fine fashion by beating Sweden on Thursday evening. The positive result means they now trail Group A’s second-place side by just one point, a lead they could wipe out if they’re victorious again today.
Bulgaria thoroughly enjoyed themselves the last time the two sides met back in March, and the 2-0 victory gained at the Stadion Vasil Levski would prove to be Danny Blind’s final game in charge of the Netherlands. The loss, their first against the Lions in a competitive clash since 1968, severely dented the Oranje’s chances of reaching the World Cup, and they’ll be will aware that nothing less than a win will do this time if they’re to have any hope of finishing as runners-up.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up today…
Netherlands substitutes: Veltman, De Ligt, Rekik, Martins Indi, Sneijder, Depay, Van de Beek, Dost, Van Ginkel, Fosu-Mensah, Stekelenburg, Zoet.
Netherlands XI (4-3-3): Cillessen; Tete, De Vrij, Hoedt, Blind; Wijnaldum, Propper, Vilhena; Robben, Janssen, Promes.
Dick Advocaat has decided to make three changes to the Netherlands side that started the 4-0 defeat away to France, with Kenny Tete, Davy Propper and Tonny Vilhena coming into the starting line-up to replace Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Wesley Sneijder and the suspended Kevin Strootman.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: NETHERLANDS 1-0 BULGARIA
So far, so good for the Netherlands, who are on course to pick up a much-needed victory. They've easily been the better of the two sides, but they haven't been able to find that all-important second goal, no matter how hard they've tried. Bulgaria have struggled to get forward, but they did well to hit the post early on, showing that they pose a threat on the break.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria boss Petar Hubchev, who will be in the stands for today's game after being sent off on Thursday, has also made three alterations to the team that featured in their last qualifier, with Simeon Slavchev, Bozhidar Chorbadzhiyski and Georgi Milanov making way for Georgi Terziev, Atanas Zehirov and Aleksandar Tsvetkov.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: NETHERLANDS 3-1 BULGARIA
Job done for the Netherlands, who have managed to pick up a much-needed victory thanks to three really well-worked goals. They weren't at their best for several sections of the game, but they nonetheless did well to carve out some great chances thanks to impressive play from the likes of Propper and Robben.
The win has moved the hosts above Bulgaria and into third place, with just one point now separating them as they battle hard for a place at the World Cup. Sweden's victory against Belarus means they now sit three points ahead, and with two games left to play it's they who are in the driving seat for a second-place finish.
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