Two goals from Nico Kranjcar and another from substitute Nikola Kalinic moved Croatia to the top of European Championship qualifying Group F with victory over Malta.

Tottenham midfielder Kranjcar opened the scoring in the 17th minute and doubled the lead four minutes before the interval at Zagreb's Stadion Maksimir, with Kalinic rounding off the win nine minutes from time.

Kranjcar had gone close to opening the scoring inside four minutes, with goalkeeper Andrew Hogg saving his volley from Ivan Rakitic's corner.

Hogg saved with his feet to deny Mladen Petric, before Kranjcar made the breakthrough with a well-struck shot from 18 yards.

Luka Modric saw a 30th-minute shot hit the post, before Rakitic had an effort blocked by Malta defender Jonathan Caruana.

However, Kranjcar did make it 2-0 with another crisp finish giving Hogg little chance, following good work from Eduardo.

Michael Mifsud fired Malta's first chance of the game over the bar shortly after the restart, before hat-trick hungry Kranjcar did likewise.

Eduardo and Gordon Schildenfeld tried their luck, without success, before a glut of substitutions inside the last half hour.

One of them, Kalinic, shot over before Kranjcar turned provider in the closing stages with an 81st-minute corner which was headed in by the Blackburn striker.

The victory takes Croatia above Greece to pole position in the group after four matches, while Malta remain pointless.