FIRING BLANKS: Netherlands were unable to breach the Bulgaria defence despite featuring the likes of Bas Dost (L), Arjen Robben (C) and Vincent Janssen (R) in their side. PHOTO: AFP
PARIS: The Netherlands' hopes of reaching the World Cup finals suffered a major setback on Saturday when the three-time runners-up slumped to a shock 2-0 defeat to Bulgaria.
The loss left the Dutch six points behind Group A leaders France, who beat Luxembourg 3-1, and down in fourth spot, three back from Sweden and two off Bulgaria with just the group winners guaranteed a place in the 2018 finals in Russia.
"What can I tell you? We came here with good intentions, but it has become a nightmare," said Dutch skipper Arjen Robben.
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Elsewhere, Belgium needed a goal two minutes from time by Romelu Lukaku to salvage a 1-1 draw against nine-man Greece as they stayed two points clear in Group H, although Roberto Martinez's team lost their 100% record in the process.
"I feel a lot of frustration. With the amount of individual talent we have at our disposal, we have to show more," said Martinez.
Group A table-toppers France, the 1998 champions and last year's Euro 2016 runners-up, saw Olivier Giroud open the scoring in Luxembourg just before the half-hour mark.
Luxembourg levelled after 34 minutes thanks to Aurelien Joachim's penalty, his country's first goal against France in 39 years.
But the minnows' joy was short-lived as Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann restored France's lead, also from the spot, just four minutes later.
Arsenal star Giroud scored his second of the evening after 77 minutes after being set up by Benjamin Mendy.
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"With us, Olivier often scores goals even if he is having a difficult time with his club. We gave him the crosses and he was very efficient," said France coach Didier Deschamps.
In Lisbon, Cristiano Ronaldo took his international tally to 70 goals as European champions Portugal beat Hungary 3-0 to stay in second spot behind Switzerland in Group B.
The win kept Portugal three points behind Switzerland, who earlier preserved their 100% record with a fifth win in five games, a 1-0 home victory against Latvia.
Porto striker Andre Silva opened the scoring after 30 minutes, converting a pass from Raphael Guerreiro for his fifth goal in six games for Portugal.
Six minutes later, skipper Ronaldo doubled the lead with a superb left-footed finish and the Real Madrid superstar made it 3-0 on 65 minutes with a clever free-kick for his 70th international goal.
"We want to go the World Cup so we have to win our next five matches, they are all finals," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.
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