Hammer on track for World Cup qualification

Hammer Nikola Vlašić started in a victory on Friday as Croatia maintained their place at the top of UEFA qualifying Group H with a 3-0 win in Cyprus.

Ivan Perišić, Joško Gvardiol and Marko Livaja were all on target in Larnaca as the Croatians secured a comfortable win that keeps them ahead of Russia – 1-0 victors over Slovakia – on goal difference.

Croatia stayed on course to qualify automatically for the 2022 World Cup after goals from Ivan Perisic, Josko Gvardiol and Marko Livaja helped the 2018 runners-up with a win at Cyprus in their Group H qualifier.

The result kept Croatia top on 16 points from seven games, ahead of Russia on goal difference after the Russians ground out a 1-0 home win over Slovakia. Third-placed Slovenia are six points behind the front-runners after they beat Malta 4-0 away.

Croatia host Slovakia themselves on Monday 11 October in Osijek knowing another three points will keep them in pole position to qualify automatically.