Patient Slovakia break Luxembourg resolve

Slovakia returned to winning ways in Group 3, downing Luxembourg to make it three wins from four UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers to join leaders the Netherlands on nine points.

The hosts had to wait an hour before substitute Ondrej Duda's penalty broke the deadlock before putting some distance between them courtesy of goals from Adam Zreľák, another replacement, and Lukáš Pauschek. The win means Ivan Galád's side bounced back from defeat by Scotland; the visitors remain without a point from five outings.

Slovakia's Milan Lalkovič endured a frustrating first period as he spurned three good openings. A volley was sent off target, his low drive was repelled by Luca Ivesic and a header from close range failed to test the keeper.

Ricardo Delgado failed to get a touch on a Dejvid Sinani free-kick as Luxembourg almost took a shock lead, but the home side eventually broke through as Duda converted from the penalty spot after a foul by Nenad Dragovic. Zreľák then drove in after a fine dribble took him into the area in the 77th minute before Pauschek rounded off the scoring with three minutes remaining