Czech Republic hit five past Wales

The Czech Republic set the seal on an impressive Group 3 campaign with a convincing 5-0 triumph over Wales.

Czech coach Jakub Dovalil could afford to leave out a number of his first-team regulars having seen his team secure top spot and a place in the play-offs courtesy of a goalless draw in Montenegro last week. Those who did take to the field produced an emphatic win, with goals from Filip Novák, Tomáš Wágner and Ondřej Vaněk giving them a 3-0 lead before substitute Stanislav Tecl's late double.

The cruise to victory started in somewhat fortuitous circumstances on 17 minutes when Jan Kopic's delivery found Novák, whose cross-shot snuck in past David Cornell. The hosts had to wait until the hour mark to double their advantage, Wágner heading in from Martin Pospíšil's corner, but that opened the floodgates.

Vaněk's low shot made it three midway through the second half before Tecl's cameo. The replacement earned and converted from the penalty spot on 73 minutes, before adding his second of the night just six minutes later. Wales finish second from bottom in the section.