Milan Skoda - the man with the automobile name - started brightly but like the rest of his side he's barely featured in the last 10 minutes or so. Michael O'Neill will be happy enough. 

Image source, Reuters

It's fair to say Northern Ireland aren't seeing much of the ball...

Image source, .

Just heard on BBC Radio Ulster: "Skoda puts the brakes on..."

Other Czech automobile manufacturers are available. Probably.

Sixteen minutes. That's all it has taken for world champions Germany to score their first goal of the qualifying campaign. Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller with the goal away to Norway.

Image source, Getty Images

As John O'Neill pointed out, retaining possession is a problem for Northern Ireland in these early stages.

They have had just 37% of the play so far. 

Quite the start in Malta, who have now levelled it up! A great header too from Alfred Effiong.

Follow that game here. 

Image source, Reuters

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

I'd like to see Northern Ireland win the ball and hold onto it. We know we can defend but whenever we collect the ball we lump it up in an effort to clear it. Northern Ireland would benefit from more possession.

Image source, EPA

Northern Ireland have settled down a touch after that shaky early start. The Will Grigg song rings out in the Prague evening. 

A fluke goal has Scotland ahead as a Robert Snodgrass cross floats in at the far post. 

Read more - and follow the game in full - here. 

Image source, Reuters

A mistake at the back from the hosts lets Steven Davis in on goal, he shoots hard and early but it's blocked away, and West Brom goal machine Gareth McAuley heads the corner wide. Good little spell. 

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

Northern Ireland have been a bit careless, losing the ball in the middle of the park and having to deal with very, very quick breaks from the Czech Republic. 

We have started too sluggishly for me - the Euros are behind us now, this is a new campaign and we have to make sure our mindset is correct.

Paddy McNair in a defensive role for Northern Ireland tonight and he catches his man with a late tackle. The free-kick comes in but it's easy for Michael McGovern. 

Image source, Reuters

It's a really bright start from the Czechs, finding space between the lines with ease, as Milan Skoda prods a cross wide at the near post. 

Running a bit late, but Scotland are also now under way.

Follow that game in full here. 

Ladislav Krejcl whips in a wonderful cross from the left and Jonny Evans has to scramble it away. Moments later another fine ball comes in and Pavel Kaderabek shovels it over the top!

Northern Ireland fortunate to not be behind already.

It's a bright start for Northern Ireland, they win a free-kick and play a clever ball down the sides instead of whipping it in, before a cross is deflected behind for a corner. It comes to nothing. 

Image source, AP

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

The secret to qualification is to pick up points away from home and win your home games, and let's hope we can squeak in behind Germany in second spot.

BBC Radio Ulster
Former Burnley and Northern Ireland forward Billy Hamilton

Kyle Lafferty has been given the nod and that's because we have to play one up front and pack the midfield. 

We have become a team that's hard to beat, and going to places like the Czech Republic is where a good solid defence and midfield are needed. If we are on top of our game they won't break us down and we'll come away with a point. 

It's back to basics now after the dreamland of the Euros. It's a dogfight to get that runners-up spot.