Croatia win puts them clear in Group Eight
Croatia climbed to the top of World Cup European Zone qualifying Group Eight with a 3-0 win over Malta at the Stadion Maksimir.
With previous leaders Sweden not having a qualifying game tonight, the Croats took full advantage as they overran the group minnows in a one-sided contest.
Two first-half goals by Rangers’ Dado Prso, who scored in the 24th and 35th minute, set the home side on their way before Igor Tudor fired home in the 80th minute to see off the plucky visitors.
The Czech Republic claimed their fifth win in Group One with a comprehensive 4-0 drubbing of bottom side Andorra at the Estadio Comunal de Aixovall.
The visitors, vying with Holland for top spot in the table, took a two-goal lead into the break thanks to Marek Jankulovski’s penalty and Liverpool’s Milan Baros.
Further strikes in the second period by Vratislav Lokvenc and Tomas Rosicky - who netted a last-minute penalty – sealed the win for the Czechs.
A second-half goal by forward Sergei Terehhov earned Estonia a surprise point in the 1-1 home draw with Group Three rivals Russia.
Terehhov struck just after the hour mark to derail Russia’s hopes of challenging Slovakia and Portugal.
The visitors had taken the lead through Andrei Arshavin after 18 minutes.
Elsewhere in the group, Luxembourg are still without a point after they were soundly beaten 4-0 at Latvia.
Imants Bleidelis put the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute before Juris Laizans fired home a 38th-minute penalty.
Maris Verpakovskis added a second-half double to wrap up the comfortable win for Latvia, who remain in fourth place but close the gap on Russia to just one point.
