Nations League round-up: Czech Republic defeat neighbouring Slovakia

A late header by substitute Patrik Schick gave the Czech Republic a 2-1 win over neighbouring Slovakia on Saturday and earned the visiting side their first points in the Nations League competition.

The Slovaks had squandered a slew of chances before the 22-year-old Roma forward broke the deadlock in the 76th minute when he headed into the top corner from captain Borek Dockal's cross.

The goal came minutes after Schick had replaced Michael Krmencik, who scored the first goal of the match after 52 minutes when he held off a marker and side-footed home following a nifty through ball from Dockal.

The Slovaks responded minutes later when Marek Hamsik, who was winning his record 108th cap, smashed a rebound into an empty goal after Czech keeper Tomas Vaclik did well to save an Adam Nemec header following a corner.

All the goals came after an even opening half in which Slovakia controlled possession but the Czechs had the best chance when Matej Vydra's volley from the edge of the box was cleared on to the post in the ninth minute.

The League B Group 1 match also marked former national team assistant Jaroslav Silhavy's first game in charge of the Czech side since replacing Karel Jarolim following the team's 5-1 defeat to Russia in a friendly in September.

Elsewhere in the Nations League Ole Selnaes scored the only goal for Norway to beat Slovenia 1-0 in Group 3 of League C and join Bulgaria atop the standings with six points.

In Group 1 of League D, Georgia made it three wins in three by beating Andorra 3-0 to dominate the standings with nine points. Andorra, Latvia and Kazakhstan all have two points after Latvia and Kazakhstan drew 1-1 on Saturday.

In League C, Bulgaria made it three wins from three matches with a 2-1 victory over Cyprus. Grigoris Kastanos gave the visitors a 41st-minute lead in Sofia but goals from Kiril Despodov and Todor Nedelev turned the game around.

Macedonia lead Group 4 on nine points from three games after beating Liechtenstein 4-1.