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World Cup Qualifiers round-up: Poland leave it late; Norway survive scare

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Robert Lewandowski scores with the last touch of the game to give Poland victory over Armenia in the World Cup Qualifiers

Robert Lewandowski's injury-time winner gave Poland a 2-1 home victory over 10-man Armenia in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.

Armenia looked to have battled to a creditable draw having played since the 30th minute a man down following Gael Andonian's two yellow cards, and subsequent red.

Lewandowski had twice gone close in the first half but the Bayern Munich striker made the breakthrough two minutes after half-time, netting from close range following Lukasz Teodorczyk's headed assist. However, Marcos Pizzelli's free-kick soon had the visitors back on level terms.

But in the fourth minute of stoppage time Lewandowski got his head to a Jakub Blaszczykowski cross and Poland joined Montenegro on seven points at the top of Group E.

Fatos Beciraj was Montenegro's match-winner in their World Cup Qualifier against Denmark in Copenhagen.

The Dynamo Moscow forward struck the only goal of the game as Montenegro moved joint-top of Group E alongside Poland following the 1-0 success.

Meanwhile, Romania are now third in Group E as they were held to a goalless draw by Kazakhstan in Astana.

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Romania's Cosmin Moti vies for the ball with Kazakhstan's Sergei Khizhnichenko during the WC 2018 football qualification match
Image: Kazakhstan and Romania drew 0-0 on Tuesday evening

Bogdan Stancu drilled two low efforts wide during the first half and created the game's best opening three minutes from time, when goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov fumbled the Genclerbirligi forward's cross.

Norway got their World Cup qualifying campaign up and running with a 4-1 home win over San Marino, who wildly celebrated a rare competitive goal.

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Watch as San Marino score only their third goal in competitive internationals since October 2008 against Norway

The hosts took an early lead through Davide Simoncini's 11th-minute own goal, but San Marino equalised nine minutes after half-time through Mattia Stefanelli.

Norway began to get nervous as the clock ticked on and it was a relief when Adama Diomande restored Norway's lead with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area in the 77th minute.

That was the cue for the floodgates to open somewhat and four minutes later Martin Samuelsen's powerful 12-yard effort gave Per-Mathias Hogmo's team a cushion.

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Bournemouth forward Josh King completed the scoring and made it a more respectable score line in Norway's favour with a 83rd-minute finish.

Azerbaijan remain unbeaten in Group C and Czech Republic are still without a win after a goalless draw in Ostrava.

There were few real opportunities in the match. Jiri Skalak put a header over the crossbar for the hosts early on before Ramil Sheydayev missed the target with a header at the other end.

Elsewhere in Group C, Julian Draxler's opener and Sami Khedira's header saw Germany coast to a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Hanover.

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Highlights from Northern Ireland's Group C World Cup qualifier against Germany

Lithuania moved into second place in Group F following a 2-0 victory at home to Malta at the LFF Stadionas.

They are level with Slovenia on five points thanks to Fedor Cernych's header and an 84th-minute penalty from Arvydas Novikovas. Malta, who saw Jonathan Caruana sent off in the 82nd minute for violent conduct, remain bottom of the group.

England still top Group F after Joe Hart's exceptional display prevented a first qualifying defeat in seven years as Gareth Southgate's side drew 0-0 in Slovenia.

Meanwhile, Scotland's qualifying hopes took another heavy blow with a 3-0 defeat to Slovakia at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho in Trnava.

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Highlights from Scotland’s Group F World Cup qualifier against Slovakia

Robert Mak scored twice before fellow forward Adam Nemec made it 3-0 from a corner for the home side's first points - and goals - of the campaign.

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