AMSTERDAM, March 29 -- The Netherlands kept their perfect run in Euro 2017 qualification Group E as the World Cup finalists fought for a 5-3 victory against Hungary on Tuesday.
The home team took an early lead when Robin van Persie was left completely free by the Hungarian defense and controlled the ball on his chest before slotting it into the goal. In the first fifteen minutes the Netherlands played with the Hungarians and should have scored more. Dirk Kuyt had the best chance after a nice pass by Van Persie, but the Liverpool striker's shot was out of target.
Hungary recovered a bit from their bad start in the remainder of the first half. The visitors even scored a goal via Balazs Dzsudzsak, but it was disallowed because the prior free-kick was taken too soon. The home team made it to half time with the 1-0 lead, but lost Van Persie. The Arsenal striker got injured after a challenge by Vilmos Vanczak and was substituted at half time.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was his replacement and the veteran striker did at first not bring any luck. Right after the start of the second half, a Hungarian corner was finished by Gergely Rudolf. His strike was touched by Dutchmen Rafael van der Vaart and Erik Pieters and therefore goal keeper Michel Vorm had no chance. Four minutes later, Zoltan Gera even volleyed Hungary to a stunning lead in Amsterdam.
The Dutch team seemed shocked and needed help from the Hungarians to get back in the game. Wesley Sneijder equalized after a combination with a Hungarian defender. It took Holland until the 73rd minute to get the lead again. Ibrahim Afellay found Dirk Kuyt and the latter's cross was promoted into a goal by Van Nistelrooy, who scored his 35th international goal for the Netherlands. However, Hungary did not give up and reacted immediately. Gera powered the equalizer past Vorm.
The spectacle was not finished yet and "Oranje" was able to bounce back again. An Afellay cross was volleyed into the net by Kuyt. The Liverpool forward secured the victory by lobbing the fifth Dutch goal past goal keeper Marton Fulop minutes later.
The Netherlands expanded their international winning streak to eight matches.