Manchester United striker Robin van Persie won and netted a late penalty as the Netherlands avoided a shock by beating Kazahkstan 3-1 in their European Championship qualifier on Friday night.
Skipper van Persie went close on several occasions at Amsterdam ArenA before finally getting on the scoresheet as Guus Hiddink’s side, for whom Daley Blind also played 90 minutes at left-back, came from behind to overcome their lowly opponents.
Either side of Renat Abdulin’s shock headed opener in the 12th minute for Kazahkstan, ranked 127th in the world, van Persie had an effort disallowed for offside, flicked a header onto the roof of the net and saw a close-range shot saved.
The frontman fired another good chance wide from a narrow angle after the break, before substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar finally made the breakthrough just after the hour mark.
Baurzhan Dzholchiev was then sent off for an ill-judged tackle and the Dutch took advantage through Ibrahim Afellay's strike, before van Persie made the game safe from the spot – his 48th international goal – after being brought down in the box.
It was a vital three points for the Netherlands after they had lost their Group A opener to the Czech Republic last month.
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