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

His cross-come-shot looped in to give the Scots an early lead, but Alfred Effiong bulleted in a headed reply.

Chris Martin's side-footed finish restored the lead at Ta' Qali Stadium.

Snodgrass added a penalty as Jonathan Caruana was controversially sent off and also had a tap-in after Steven Fletcher's headed fourth, with Malta's Luke Gambin also red-carded late on.

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 a Matt Ritchie 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.