Germans rally to keep 100% start

Germany maintained their 100 per cent record at the top of World Cup qualifying Group C with a comfortable 4-1 win in Azerbaijan.

Joachim Low’s side conceded their first goal in qualifying, but made it five wins out of five to maintain their comfortable lead in the table.

Dimitrij Nazarov cancelled out Andre Schurrle’s close-range opener in Baku, but Germany responded through Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez to lead 3-1 at the break and Schurrle emphatically netted his second in the 81st minute.

Group C rivals the Czech Republic gave their qualification hopes a boost by thrashing San Marino 6-0 in Serravalle.

Four goals in nine minutes midway through the first half put the Czech Republic in control, with two from Antonin Barak sandwiching Vladimir Darida’s effort before Theodor Gebre Selassie made it 4-0.

Michal Krmencik slotted home the Czech Republic’s fifth just before half-time and Hertha Berlin midfielder Darida scored his second from the penalty spot after Davide Simoncini’s foul on Jaromir Zmrhal.

In England and Scotland’s Group F, Malta striker Jean Paul Farrugia cancelled out Vladimir Weiss’s second-minute opener, but Slovakia regained the lead through Jan Gregus and Adam Nemec added a late third before he was shown a straight red card for a foul on Zach Muscat.