Dimitris Salpingidis struck the only goal after 63 minutes to give Greece a vital FIFA World Cup qualifying Group G win in Slovakia.

In very wet conditions, Slovakia had the better of the game but were not able to find the target. And one defensive slip allowed in Salpingidis to score and put Greece level on ten points with Bosnia and Herzegovina at the top of the section, three clear of Slovakia.

Greece began the better with Kostas Katsouranis sending a lob wide and Dimitris Siovas going close with a header. But after the quarter-hour the home side got on top, Marek Hamšík just missing the target as Slovakia began to show real belief. Hamšík did find a way past goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis after Michal Breznaník's blocked shot but the ball was stopped by a Greece defender.

The second half continued in similar fashion, with Breznaník and again Hamšík having good efforts. But no goal came from it and the experienced visitors made Slovakia pay as Kostas Katsouranis put Salpingidis through with only Dušan Kuciak to beat and he made no mistake. Still Slovakia pressed but Breznaník shot just over as the home team slid to a harsh defeat.