Sweden 6

Malta 0

Anders Svensson hada a five-star performance as sweden easily demolished Malta 6-0.

The goals ensured the home team remain just one point behind the leaders Croatia, who recorded a 3-1 win against Bulgaria, while Malta continue to prop up the standings with one point from six games.

The two teams met last September in their group, with Sweden scoring seven in Malta. And the home team looked likely to repeat that performance, needing just six minutes to find the back of the net. A short corner from Anders Svensson was played back to the midfield player by Fredrik Ljungberg. Svensson then curled in a cross to Mattias Jonson, who headed in at the near post.

The hosts then doubled their advantage 12 minutes later with Svensson unleashing a powerful drive from the edge of the area past a helpless Justin Haber in the Malta goal. The visitors were struggling to contain a wave of Swedish attacks and on the half-hour Malta found themselves three goals down with Svensson once more initiating the move which Christian Wilhelmsson finished with a low shot.

Sweden continued to run rings around Malta's midfield and five minutes before the interval, frustration got the better of the visitors with Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled to the ground just outside of the area. A free-kick was awarded by Russian referee Nikolai Ivanov, with Svensson picking out the unmarked Ibrahimovic in the area allowing the Juventus FC striker to drill home.

Although Sweden took their time to settle after the interval, with Svensson still controlling events, another goal always seemed likely. And it arrived after 57 minutes with the IF Elfsborg midfield player powering the ball into the area for Ljungberg to tap in.

A stunning performance from Svensson came to an end after 63 minutes when he was replaced by Kim Källström, and for once Sweden seemed happy to sit back. But they had time for one more goal with Ibrahimovic turning his marker and finding substitute Johan Elmander, who slotted his effort past Haber.

Malta will attempt to escape from last place at home to Iceland on Wednesday, but Sweden must wait until 3 September for the visit of Bulgaria, who they can put out of reach with victory.

Sweden: Andreas Isaksson, Niclas Alexandersson, Olof Mellberg, Teddy Lucic, Erik Edman, Christian Wilhelmsson (Johan Elmander, 78), Tobias Linderoth, Anders Svensson (Kim Kallstrom, 62), Fredrik Ljungberg, Mattias Jonson (Marcus Allback, 62), Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Malta: Justin Haber, Peter Pullicino, Brian Said, Luke Dimech, Adrian Pulis, Kevin Sammut, Stefan Giglio, Gilbert Agius (George Mallia, 73), Ivan Woods, Roderick Briffa, Michael Mifsud