- Germany star in defeat of the Czech Republic while Azerbaijan enjoy historic win
- Robert Lewandowski’s hat-trick enough for Poland as Romania and Montenegro hit five
- England on to six points after beating Malta with Scotland equalising late against Lithuania
- Next games in these groups to be played on Tuesday
- Third set of matches begin on Sunday with Spain and Italy in action
Group C
Germany 3-0 Czech Republic
The FIFA World Cup holders were on top form in Hamburg with two goals from Thomas Müller either side of Toni Kroos’s fine first-time finish from the edge of the box. Müller has four goals in the group and Germany six points, five ahead of the Czechs.
Azerbaijan 1-0 Norway
An 11th-minute Maksim Medvedev goal from close range gave Azerbaijan victory and – having previously beaten San Marino – they have two wins in a World Cup qualifying group for the first time, achieved in just two matches. Norway had the bulk of the chances but are still without a point.
Northern Ireland 4-0 San Marino
Steven Davis’s penalty was added to by two late goals from Kyle Lafferty either side of a Jamie Ward strike to move Northern Ireland on to four points ahead of their trip to Germany on Tuesday. San Marino’s Mirko Palazzi was sent off early in the second half with the score at 1-0.
Group E
Poland 3-2 Denmark
Robert Lewandowski’s hat-trick proved enough for Poland to move on to four points but their 3-0 lead was reduced by an own goal from Kamil Glik and a strike by Yussuf Poulsen with 21 minutes left. Denmark’s winning start under Åge Hareide is at an end while Lewandowski has now scored in seven straight qualifiers.
Armenia 0-5 Romania
Gor Malakyan’s third-minute dismissal for handling on the line set the stage for Armenia’s heaviest home defeat. Bogdan Stancu converted the resulting penalty, and it was 3-0 inside 12 minutes, Adrian Popa and Răzvan Marin – with his first for his country – on target. Nicolae Stanciu and Alexandru Chipciu completed the scoring for Romania, now on four points with Armenia yet to get off the mark.
Montenegro 5-0 Kazakhstan
Montenegro accelerated to their most substantial home success of all time. Žarko Tomašević’s glancing header made it 1-0 at the break. The second half was a rout, Nikola Vukčević’s header followed by a Stevan Jovetić finish and further strikes from Fatos Bećiraj and Stefan Savić taking Montenegro on to four points.
Group F
England 2-0 Malta
Gareth Southgate’s first game in caretaker charge of England resulted in their second win of the campaign thanks to first-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli. Jesse Lingard made his debut but Ryan Bertrand went off injured in the first half.
Slovenia 1-0 Slovakia
Substitute Rok Kronaveter scored his maiden international goal on 74 minutes – a first-time finish from the edge of the box after a slick passage of play – to move Slovenia on to four points. Matúš Kozáčík had pushed a Roman Bezjak shot against the frame of the goal late in the first half, but Slovakia are yet to get off the mark.
Scotland 1-1 Lithuania
James McArthur’s 89th-minute header salvaged a point for Scotland and means Lithuania’s two-year run without an away win goes on. Captain Fiodor Černych had struck on the break just before the hour but Gordon Strachan’s side dominated possession and now have four points, two more than Lithuania.
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