Czech Republic veteran Pavel Nedved returned from international retirement to inspire his team to victory over a lacklustre Norway in the first leg of their World Cup play-off in Oslo.

The Juventus playmaker, who had not played for his country since Euro 2004, came out of his self-imposed exile and set up Vladimir Smicer's winning goal in the first half.

The visitors deserved the victory on a difficult pitch at the Ullevaal stadium where quality football was made difficult and will fancy their chances of sealing their place at World Cup 2006 in the return leg in Prague on Wednesday.

After a cagey start to the game with both sides feeling each other out, Czech Republic striker Milan Baros had the first effort on goal in the 10th minute with a spectacular overhead kick that flew over the crossbar.

The Czechs were beginning to get into their stride and orchestrated by the returning Nedved, Baros was inches away from giving them a 22nd-minute lead.

Nedved swung in a free-kick from the left wing which the Aston Villa striker narrowly missed with his head.

Norway's long-ball tactics were having little effect on a resolute visiting defence and it was no surprise when the Czechs went in front in the 32nd minute.

Nedved slid the ball down the right for Karel Poborsky and his cross found the unmarked Smicer, who had no trouble in planting his header past Thomas Myhre.

Nedved's header from a Baros cross was held at the second attempt by the Norwegian keeper before the home side finally registered a shot on target in the 39th minute with a typically powerful effort from over 30 yards out by John Arne Riise that forced Petr Cech to turn the shot over his bar.

Defender David Rozehnal nearly extended the visitors' lead six minutes into the second half as he held off the attentions of a Norwegian defender to meet a Nedved corner with his head only for his effort to be cleared off the line.

The home side desperately attempted to get back into the game but with little success as the Czechs seemed happy to hold onto their one-goal advantage.

Cech had an uncomfortable moment in the 78th minute as his weak punch under pressure found Steffen Iversen. However the Chelsea goalkeeper recovered well to deal with the striker's shot.

And Norway could have grabbed a dramatic injury-time equaliser after Morten Gamst Pedersen was brought down on the edge of the penalty area by Rozehnal.

John Carew slammed the resulting free-kick straight at the defensive wall but Pedersen picked up the rebound and from his cross the giant Lyon striker should have done better than head over.

Teams:

Norway Myhre, Bergdolmo, Hagen, Hangeland, Riise, Solli (Braaten 46), Haestad, Grindheim (Stromstad 85), Pedersen, Carew, Iversen (Aarst 77).

Subs Not Used: Espen Johnsen, Hoiland, Lundekvam, Helstad.

Czech Republic Cech, Grygera, Jankulovski, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi, Galasek, Nedved, Poborsky, Rosicky (Jarosik 86), Smicer (Heinz 77), Baros (Polak 60).

Subs Not Used: Kinsky, Jiranek, Kovac, Stajner.

Booked: Nedved, Smicer, Jankulovski.

Goals: Smicer 31.

Att: 24,264

Ref: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).