Not that any other outcome was expected of course, although what was a little surprising was the fact it took Slovakia a full 25 minutes to break the deadlock. But once Hamsik had done so, the levy broke.

His goal came from a sweet shot struck high into the net after a Marek Cech corner, and within eight minutes it was two.

This time it was Sestak who beat three defenders before lifting his shot over San Marino keeper Federico Valentini.

While that strike was delivered with finesse, Slovakia's third came courtesy of power, Sapara thumping a right-foot shot drive from the edge of the box on 37 minutes.

It was then Mrtin Skrtel's turn shortly after half-time, his finish much simpler than his predecessors' as he prodded home at the far post after Filip Holosko's cross.

Holosko himself claimed one only moments later, playing a one-two with Sestak before driving into the bottom corner.

And Sestak immediately got his second to complete a five-minute flurry of goals, volleying past Valentini from a deep Jan Kozak cross.

With the score at 6-0, Slovakia finally gave San Marino something of a reprieve, content to knock the ball around the centre circle.

They didn't get their seventh until 12 minutes before the end, and even then it was down to Sammarinese indiscipline rather than any attacking impetus.

Otto Szabo delivered a fairly lackadaisical corner, only for Albani to bring down Sapara in the area. Durica duly stepped up to complete the scoring.

Slovakia continued to indifferently knock the ball around until the end, barely interested in creating another chance as they played out the 7-0 rout.