A soft goal, a debatable penalty and the sending-off of defender Jonathan Caruana on the hour spoiled an enterprising Malta performance as Scotland made the most of their good fortune to win their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier 5-1 at the National Stadium.
Malta had done well to go in for half-time level at 1-1 after Alfred Effiong's superb header had cancelled out Robert Snodgrass's opener but a torrid start to the second half shattered home hopes as Scotland struck two quick goal to seal the issue.
But there was an element of controversy about their third goal as Jonathan Caruana was shown a straight red card after Ukrainian referee Yevhen Aranovskiy ruled that the Malta defender had brought down Chris Martin in the box when television replays showed that the Malta defender didn't touch the Scotland striker.
Trailing by two goals and down to 10 men, it was always going to be difficult for Malta to limit the damage, a shame considering their bright first-half showing, as Pietro Ghedin's crumbled in the final 30 minutes to slump to a humiliating defeat.
Pietro Ghedin's initial XI showed one change from the 1-1 draw against Estonia in last Wednesday's friendly as Birkirkara's Ryan Scicluna was preferred to Clayton Failla.
Scicluna began on the right of Malta's defence with Birkirkara team-mate Joseph Zerafa switching to the left.
Gordon Strachan, the Scotland manager, opted for 4-4-2 with Chris Martin, who is on the books Derby County, partnering Oliver Burke, who has just joined Bundesliga RB Leipzig, in attack.
Scotland press forward from the outset, winning a corner inside the opening two minutes.
There was a chance for Scotland when Grant Hanley, put through by Matt Ritchie, raced into the box unchallenged but Andrew Hogg came out to close the angle. There was to be no reprieve for Malta on nine minutes when Snodgrass, advancing down the inside-right channel, held off Gareth Sciberras before hitting a cross-shot that caught Hogg by surprise as the ball nestled into the net via the far post.
Malta were down but not out.
Five minutes after Scotland's opener, a swift counter-attack had Scotland on their knees. Scicluna's initial cross was partially cleared but Sciberras's ensuing cross from the right was met by Effiong whose diving header from the centre of the box gave David Marshall no chance to send the home fans into ecstasy.
An estimated 5,000 Scottish fans made the trip to Malta. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
With their confidence growing, Malta put together some fine passing moves as Scotland struggled to regain their earlier fluency.
But, on 24 minutes, they had a great chance to go back in front as Callum Paterson's cross from the right found Snodgrass unmarked in the box but his header was stopped by Hogg.
Another fine Malta move saw Sciberras tee up Gambin but his high-riser was wide.
Andrew Robertson, the Scotland right-back, curled his grounder past the post after profiting from a deflection in the Malta box.
On the verge of half-time, Schembri set off on a swerving run through the middle before serving Scicluna who evaded his marker before sending in a measured cross but Effiong only succeeded in heading the ball backward.
There was even a better opportunity for the red-shirted players as Fenech's free-kick was nodded on by Agius towards Schembri whose close-range flick rolled past the near post.
Martin's strong drive soared high early in the second half.
In next to no time, Ghedin's men produced a reminder of their ability to attack as Zerafa switched the ball to Gambin whose measured cross found Schembri who was denied by Marshall but the Malta strike was adjudged to have strayed offside.
Snodgrass slots home Scotland's third from the spot. Replays suggested the referee got the penalty decision wrong. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Scotland went 2-1 ahead seven minutes into the second half. The Maltese team were down to 10 men as Schembri was down with injury but the visiting team persisted with their attack with Richie advancinfg on the left before hitting a low cross that was turned in by Martin.
Then came the penalty and red card incident which ended with Snodgrass converting from the spot to secure the points for Scotland.
Malta were down and out. Substitute Steve Fletcher headed home goal no.4 for the Scots and, with five minutes left, Snodgrass wrapped up his hat-trick with a close-range flick after Fletcher's lob flashed against the crossbar.
A disappointing night for Malta ended on a poor note when Gambin was also dismissed for a reckless challenge on Snodgrass.
Earlier today, Group F rivals Lithuania and Slovenia drew 2-2, while England snatched three points at the death with a last-minute 0-1 win over Slovakia.
Malta entered the game with their confidence boosted by a draw during an international friendly last week in Estonia. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi