Perfect Slovakia close in on historic qualification

"We are a small country, but we can achieve great things together," said Slovakia defender Peter Pekarík after his side made it six wins from six in qualifying Group C with a 2-1 home victory against FYR Macedonia to close in on their first UEFA EURO finals appearance as an independent nation.

The latest success keeps Ján Kozák's charges three points clear of Spain and six ahead of third-placed Ukraine, but captain Marek Hamšík is only contemplating a top-two finish. "We would like to advance directly [and avoid a play-off place]," the midfielder said. "All we need to do is just keep acquiring more points."

The frontrunners maintained their 100% record thanks to first-half strikes from Kornel Saláta and Hamšík, despite conceding a 69th-minute goal to ten-man FYR Macedonia in front of a sold-out stadium in Zilina.

"We played at a very high level for the first 70 minutes," Hamšík reflected. "It's a pity that they were able to score in the second half, but we won. There's still a lot to play for."

The SSC Napoli playmaker picked up a late injury, being replaced by Ondrej Duda with ten minutes left. "I suffered unexpected back pain, [I felt] like I was 40 years old," he explained. Hamšík hopes to face Spain in Oviedo on 5 September, a match Martin Škrtel and Juraj Kucka will miss through suspension.

A second win against Vicente del Bosque's side would send Slovak qualification hopes soaring, but midfielder Vladimír Weiss is determined they will not ease up in their remaining fixtures: "A play-off [place] is not acceptable."

Only England and Slovakia have amassed 18 points from their opening six fixtures on the road to France. On this form a historic place at UEFA EURO 2016 beckons for Kozák's team.