The Czech Republic's potential path to a first FIFA World Cup finals appearance in two decades got off to a winning start as Patrik Schick's brace saved his side's blushes in a 2-1 victory over the Faroe Islands in Hradec Kralove to extend their perfect H2H record against the Landslidid to eight games.

As expected, the Czechs were in the ascendancy from the opening whistle, but were denied an early opener when Andrias Edmundsson attempted to clear Vladimir Coufal's long throw and the ball fell invitingly for Jaroslav Zeleny, only for Bardur a Reynatrod to keep out the full-back's fierce volley.

After Patrik Schick's miss, the Czechs had a scare when a defensive mix-up allowed Hanus Sørensen to get through on goal, but his tame shot was saved by Matej Kovar.

There was then concern for Tomas Holes when the centre-back was forced off in the 23rd minute, but the Czechs were soon celebrating. Vaclav Cerny's initial corner was deflected across the box and Lukas Cerv collected the ball before returning it to the danger area for Schick to head home.

The visitors responded well and Arni Frederiksberg's free-kick was deflected behind for a corner which culminated in Edmundsson testing Kovar with a header.

Czech corners also continued to cause problems, with Tomas Soucek seeing a flick cleared off the line by Viljormur Davidsen and another effort sent wide. Having avoided further damage, the Faroe Islands came out defiant and kept the hosts at bay, with A Reynatrod dispossessing Cerny of the ball after some fine link-up play.

A Reynatrod wasn't the perfect foil, however, and was beaten when Cerny's ball into the box was touched by Schick and turned in by Ladislav Krejci, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

Krejčí soon returned to his defensive duties to keep out a Sorensen shot, before Tomáš Chorý and Zelený were off target at the other end.

Chory was then frustrated to see a powerful header saved, and that frustration was shared by the entire nation when Gunnar Vatnhamar rose to head home Adrian Justinussen's corner in the 83rd minute. Two minutes later, Schick made sure the Czechs were not humiliated when he headed home Zeleny's cross.

The result extended the Czech Republic's unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches and moved them level on three points with Montenegro, who had beaten Gibraltar 3-1 earlier in the day, and condemned the Faroe Islands to just one win in their last 20 competitive away matches.