Hungary beat Malta 3-0 in a Group One qualifier on Wednesday to keep pace with leaders Denmark in their bid to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

The Hungarians have 13 points from six matches, behind Denmark on goal difference although the Danes, who beat Albania 3-0, have a game in hand. Portugal, Sweden and Albania all have six points and Malta one.

Hungary, playing in front of a capacity 35,000 crowd at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium, took control early on and forward Tamas Hajnal opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a free kick from 20 metres that went in just under the crossbar.

Malta stepped up the pace of their game in the second half but missed their few chances and substitute Zoltan Gera increased Hungary's lead 10 minutes from time when he netted a cross from Szabolcs Huszti.

Hungary rounded off their victory when Roland Juhasz headed home an excellent ball from Huszti in injury time.

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