Slovenia are up to second in World Cup Qualifying European Group F after Benjamin Verbic's delightful finish just after half-time earned them a 1-0 victory in Malta.

Verbic met Jasmin Kurtic's cross from the right with a clever flick in the 47th minute that beat Maltese goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.

The result takes unbeaten Slovenia to eight points from four games, two behind leaders England, who they drew 0-0 with last time out in Ljubljana.

Malta, yet to pick up a point, are bottom of the pool and have gone three games without scoring following their 5-1 thrashing by Scotland in their opening fixture.