Former Blue Mario Pasalic headed in the only goal in the first half as the 2018 runners-up struggled to fashion clear chances against a resolute Cypriot outfit. They did at least hold on for the victory, and can secure another against Malta on Tuesday having lost their opener in Slovenia earlier this week (pictured top).

Elsewhere at senior level, Michy Batshuayi was an unused sub as Belgium drew 1-1 with Czech Republic, while Ethan Ampadu also remained on the bench as Wales beat Mexico 1-0 in a friendly.

Chelsea Academy striker Thierno Ballo’s Austria Under-21 debut couldn’t have gone any better. He netted a hat-trick in his 45 minutes on the pitch in a friendly against Saudi Arabia, with the first two of those goals scored by just the third minute.

It finished 10-0 to the Austrians with Ballo having been withdrawn at half-time in the Pinatar Arena in Spain. Austria play another game there against Poland on Monday.