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Snodgrass (right) scored three goals in Malta

Robert Snodgrass scored a hat-trick as Scotland started their World Cup qualifying campaign by hammering Malta.

The Hull midfielder's cross-come-shot looped in to give the Scots the lead, but Alfred Effiong headed a reply.

Chris Martin's side-footed finish restored the lead and Snodgrass added a penalty as Jonathan Caruana was controversially sent off.

Snodgrass tapped-in his third after Steven Fletcher's header, with Malta's Luke Gambin also sent off late on.

Robert Snodgrass: 'You've got to be ruthless at this level'

It was an up-and-down display for the Scots as they opened impressively, laboured after Effiong's equaliser then capitalised on Malta being reduced to 10 men.

The turning point was the penalty, when there looked to be little if any contact as Caruana chased Martin into the six-yard box while the Scotland striker was stretching to reach an Andrew Robertson cross.

Scotland took control as Malta lost their discipline in the closing stages and Gordon Strachan's side go top of Group F ahead of England, who won 1-0 in Slovakia, on goal difference after the opening set of fixtures.

Superior Scots

Though the scoreline was ultimately emphatic, Scotland had to be patient before their superiority began to tell.

They began the match strongly, but the swift equaliser unsettled the Scots and the remainder of the first half was unimpressive.

Confidence was restored once Martin went some way to justifying his starting place by scoring the crucial second goal.

Thereafter, the result was never in doubt, particularly after the Maltese were reduced to 10 men with the seemingly harsh dismissal of Caruana.

Strachan's selections justified?

Chris Martin was a surprise starter but scored to put Scotland 2-1 ahead

Martin's inclusion as the main striker surprised most observers and his first-half showing did little to justify his manager's faith.

But he made the vital intervention that kick-started the Scotland performance, as well as winning the penalty for the third.

Barry Bannan looked tidy alongside Darren Fletcher in the middle of the park, while Callum Paterson provided his trademark energetic running on the right flank, dangerous crosses and an additional aerial threat at set-pieces.

Despite the big win, this was not a wholly convincing display by Scotland. Nevertheless, the victory is a vital one and, for a short time at least, takes them to the top of the group.

Burke's big day

Burke only had one touch in the Malta box

Oliver Burke had been in the headlines all week following his £13m transfer to RB Leipzig and was handed his first start and competitive debut for the national team.

He began the match almost as a support striker, just behind Martin, and the early signs were promising as he burst into the penalty area to win a corner.

But, although he showed great willingness to make things happen, he couldn't impose himself on the game, even when he was shifted to a more familiar right-wing beat in the second half.

He was eventually replaced with James Forrest, but there will surely be plenty more opportunities for the 19-year-old to make an impact at international level.

Man of the match - Robert Snodgrass

Snodgrass scored his fourth, fifth and sixth goals for his country against Malta

What next?

Scotland's next match is a home meeting with Lithuania on 8 October, followed by a trip to Slovakia three days later.

Scotland's 2018 World Cup qualification fixtures 2016 2017 4 September: (a) v Malta 26 March: (h) v Slovenia 8 October: (h) v Lithuania 10 June: (h) v England 11 October: (a) v Slovakia 1 September: (a) v Lithuania 11 November: (a) v England 4 September: (h) v Malta 5 October: (h) v Slovakia 8 October: (a) v Slovenia