A blunder by Maltese keeper Andrew Hogg was instrumental for Slovakia to earn a 3-1 victory at Ta’ Qali Stadium to move into second place of Group F behind England.

Until that fateful moment, Malta was at par with the Slovakian opponents, who had created little in attack while Ghedin’s boys played in an orderly way and had scored an equaliser to Slovakia’s early goal.

But the keeper’s mistake just before half-time settled the Slovakians who could from then onwards take control of the game.

Slovakia took the lead after only 90 seconds through a long-distance Weiss shot, but this early setback was recovered by Malta in the 14^th minute.

A Skriniar back pass was too short for goalkeeper Kozacik and striker Jean Paul Farrugia was quick to pounce on the error to slot the ball past the helpless keeper.

Slovakia were visibly shocked and for long stretches they were unable to mount pressure on the Maltese disciplined defence.

But, four minutes before the interval, what looked like an innocuous low shot from 25 minutes by Gregus slipped beneath Hogg.

Photos Domenic Aquilina

The second half was a bland affair, technically poor on both sides, as Slovakia seemed happy to control the situation without doing much in attack.

The game developed mostly in midfield with neither side creating any danger.

In the 78^th minute, Farrugia, after being booked for simulation, earned a second yellow card for using his arm to control the ball before depositing it in the net, a goal that was disallowed.

With Malta playing a man less, matters became easier for Slovakia who added a third goal through Nemec five minutes later. Nemec was sent off in injury time.

It was Malta’s fifth defeat from as many matches.