Czech Republic defeat Malta in 2014 World Cup qualifier

Theodor Gebre Selassie put the Czechs ahead in the 34th minute, but the lead lasted just four minutes when Malta's Roderick Briffa dribbled the ball past two defenders and then had his powershot beat goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Tomas Pekhart restored the hosts' advantage, though, and Jan Rezek sealed the points - but it was by no means the emphatic triumph they would have hoped for.

Malta made Italy work hard for victory last month when the Euro 2012 runners-up were less than convincing in their 2-0 win, and they proved to be stubborn opponents again yesterday evening.

Results

Group A

Rep. of Macedonia - Croatia 1-2

Serbia - Belgium 0-3

Wales - Scotland 2-1

Group B

Czech Republic - Malta 3-1

Armenia - Italy 1-3

Bulgaria 0 Denmark 1-1

Group C

Faroe Islands - Sweden 1-2

Kazakhstan - austria 0-0

Rep. of Ireland - Germany 1-6

Group D

Turkey - Romania 0-1

Estonia - Hungary 0-1

Holland - Andorra 3-0

Group E

Albania - Iceland 1-2

Switzerland - Norway 1-1

Slovenia - Cyprus 2-1

Group F

Russia - Portugal 1-0

Luxembourg - Israel 0-6

Group G

Liechtenstein - Lithuania 0-2

Slovakia - Latvia 2-1

Greece - Bosia-Herzegovina 0-0

Group H

Moldova - Ukraine 0-0

England - San Marino 5-0

Group I

Finland - Georgia 1-1

Belarus - Spain 0-4