MOSCOW, Sep 2: Croatia drew 0-0 with a new-look Russia team to stay atop its World Cup qualifying group Wednesday as tiny Malta secured a commanding win.
There were few chances for either team to score in a cagey match at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, where Croatia lost the 2018 World Cup final to France. Croatia and Russia have seven points apiece in Group H but the Croatians are ahead on goal difference. It was the first game in charge for new Russia coach Valery Karpin, who replaced Stanislav Cherchesov after Russia failed to advance from its group at the European Championship.
Karpin gave a start to 18-year-old Dynamo Moscow winger Arsen Zakharyan, who became the youngest outfield player in Russia’s history and the second-youngest player overall behind goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. There was also a debut off the bench for left-back Ilya Samoshnikov.
Slovakia missed its chance to overtake Russia and Croatia for first place with a 1-1 draw against Slovenia. That was the Slovakians’ third draw in four games.
Malta won its first World Cup qualifier in eight years, beating Cyprus 3-0 with two goals from right-back Cain Attard. That took Malta to its fifth win in 12 months, including friendlies and the Nations League.
Denmark scored twice in the space of two minutes to beat Scotland 2-0 and keep its perfect start to World Cup qualifying Wednesday. Daniel Wass scored in the 14th minute and Joakim Maehle doubled the lead just over 90 seconds later as the Danes earned their fourth win in as many games.
Another strong defensive performance ensured Denmark has yet to concede a goal while scoring 16 of its own. Italy and Sweden also haven’t allowed a goal.
Denmark leads Group F by five points from second-place Israel and looks assured of securing a place at next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Eran Zahavi scored a hat trick as Israel won 4-0 away against the Faroe Islands as it bids to reach its first World Cup since 1970. The Israeli team is level on seven points with Austria, which scored stoppage-time goals in each half as it beat Moldova 2-0.
In Group D, Bosnia and Herzegovina stunned 2018 World Cup winner France when veteran striker Eden Dzeko struck in the 36th minute with his 60th international goal. Griezmann equalized three minutes later following a scramble after Kylian Mbappe’s corner.
A thrilling finish in Astana saw midfielder Ruslan Valiullin equalize in the sixth minute of stoppage time to earn Kazakhstan a 2-2 home draw with Ukraine. Forward Danylo Sikan came off the bench to score in the third minute of injury time, yet it was not enough for victory. Ukraine had a strong start as Roman Yaremchuk netted after two minutes with a great strike from outside the penalty area, but Valiullin equalized in the 74th and did so again in the last seconds.
Turkey remains top and undefeated in Group G but blew a 2-0 lead when it was held 2-2 at home by Montenegro, which equalized in the seventh minute of stoppage time through defender Risto Radunovic.
Latvia beat last-place Gibraltar 3-1. (AP)
