A ROBERT MAK double secured Slovakia their first win of 2018 World Cup qualifying with a 3-0 victory over Scotland in Trnava.
Mak struck once either side of half-time, with Adam Nemec’s second-half header giving Slovakia all three points against the insipid visitors.
The winger’s first came in controversial circumstances as he fired home the rebound from a David Marshall save, after the recalled Steven Fletcher appeared to have been fouled at other end of the field in the lead-up.
An emphatic finish from Mak and a towering Nemec header in the second period intensifies pressure on Scotland manager Strachan following their 1-1 stalemate with Lithuania at the weekend.
Strachan was incensed with the nature of the hosts’ first goal, but it was a deserved defeat to a side who had not scored in four previous internationals.
Scotland must now travel to group favourites England next month to try and get their Group F campaign back on track, while Slovakia’s confidence will be boosted ahead of a home match against Lithuania.
Elsewhere, Poland needed a 90th-minute Robert Lewandowski goal to see off 10-man Armenia, while San Marino scored their first away goal in a World Cup qualifier in 15 years as they went down 4-1 against Norway.
Tonight’s World Cup 2018 qualifying results
Group C
Czech Republic 0-0 Azerbaijan
Germany 2-0 Northern Ireland
Norway 4-1 San Marino
Group E
Kazakhstan 0-0 Romania
Denmark 0-1 Montenegro
Poland 2-1 Armenia
Group F
Lithuania 2-0 Malta
Slovakia 3-0 Scotland
Slovenia 0-0 England
