Denmark grabs 2nd spot in Group B with win

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Denmark finished second in Group B of European World Cup qualifying by thrashing Malta 6-0 on Tuesday, but still missed out on a spot in the playoffs.

Bulgaria lost 1-0 to the Czech Republic to let Denmark climb above it into second place, but the Danes finished as the worst second-place finisher in the nine groups.

The game in Copenhagen was a one-sided affair for the Danes, who smashed Malta on goals by Morten Rasmussen, Daniel Agger, Andreas Bjelland and Nicki Nielsen. Rasmussen and Agger both scored twice.

After four first-half goals, the Danes slowed down in the second until Rasmussen made it 5-0 in the 74th and Nielsen added the final goal 10 minutes later.

Borek Dockal's second-half goal was enough to give the already eliminated Czechs the win, and Bulgaria was reduced to 10 men when Petar Zanev was sent off for a second booking in the 76th.

Bulgaria dominated during most of the first half but Peter Cech made several saves to keep the game scoreless. The Czechs counterattacked and had three good scoring chances but two were saved by goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov and a shot by Libor Kozak hit the post.

Italy, which already had qualified for the World Cup as group winner, drew 2-2 with Armenia in the group's third game.

Yura Movsisyan put Armenia ahead in the fourth minute and Alessandro Florenzi equalized in 24th minute. Henrikh Mkhitaryan then restored Armenia's lead in the 70th before substitute Mario Balotelli leveled again six minutes later.

Four teams had a chance to finish second, with Bulgaria ahead of Denmark on goal difference going into the last round.