2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Round Up (March 24 2017)

While Irish eyes were firmly fixed on events at the Aviva Stadium between Ireland and Wales this evening there were a number of other crucial World Cup qualifiers taking place throughout Europe. Here is a round-up of the action from tonight’s other games.

Group D

Serbia took full advantage of Ireland’s failure to win against Wales with a comprehensive 3-1 away win against Georgia in Tbilisi to leapfrog Ireland at the top of the group on goal difference. Serbia had to come from behind after Georgia went in front after striker Nika Katcharava found the net after just six minutes following a sloppy back pass.

Serbia were back on level terms right on the stroke of half-time thanks to a Dusan Tadic penalty and took control of the game in the second half before taking the lead in the 64^th minute through Newcastle United striker Aleksander Mitrovic. Serbia sealed all three points with four minutes remaining when substitute Mijat Gacinovic scored just five minute after coming on.

Austria gave their slim hopes of qualification a much needed boost with a 2-0 win over Moldova at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. The Austrians had been frustrated by a dogged Moldova side, who looked like they might nick a point until the Austrians finally broke their stubborn resistance with 15 minutes remaining.

Marcel Sabitzer grabbed the vital goal with a header following Marko Arnautovic’s inviting cross and substitute Martin Harnik made the game safe with a goal in the 89th minute to clinch the points for the home side. The result means that Austria remain in fourth place in the group but are level on points with Wales and four points adrift of Serbia and Ireland at the halfway stage.

Group G

Spain cruised to a 4-1 win over Israel at the Estadio El Molinon in Gijon to stay top of Group G. The Spaniards went ahead as early as the 13^th minute when David Silva was teed up by full-back Jordi Alba and the Manchester City found the net with a composed finish. Spain made it 2-0 in injury time at the end of the first half when midfielder Thiago Alcantara played in Victor Vitolo whose weak shot somehow trickled past Israel goalkeeper Ofir Marciano.

Alcantara was once again the provider for Spain’s third goal after 51 minutes when his corner kick found Diego Costa, whose header nestled in the back of the net. Israel gave themselves some hope when midfielder Lior Rafaelov scored from a rebound after Rami Gershon’s header came back off the post, but Spain put the game beyond Israel’s reach when substitutes Iago Aspas and Isco combined to seal a 4-1 win for the Spanish.

Italy maintained their unbeaten record in the qualifiers with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Albania in Palermo to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack in Group G. The Italians took the lead after 12 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Striker Andrea Belotti was hauled down in the box and the spot-kick was duly dispatched by Roma’s midfield general Daniele De Rossi.

Italy were comfortable throughout and Albania failed to test Gianluigi Buffon. The game was temporarily disrupted on 66 minutes when a number of fireworks were thrown onto the pitch, and when the game resumed Italy secured the within five minutes as Ciro Immobile headed in from a Davide Zappacosta cross. The result puts Italy level on points at the top of the group but behind Spain on goal difference.

Macedonia got their first points of their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 rout of Liechtenstein at the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz. Macedonia controlled the game throughout with the majority of possession and created plenty of chances but had to wait until 2 minutes before the break to take the lead when midfielder Boban Nikolov found the net. Macedonia had to wait until the final quarter to make their dominance count when a quick-fire double salvo from striker Illija Nestorovski put the game beyond doubt. Macedonia remain second from bottom in the group despite the win.

Group I

Croatia maintained their three point cushion at the top of Group I with a hard fought 1-0 win over Ukraine at the Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb. Former Blackburn Rovers striker Nikola Kalinic got the decisive goal after 38 minutes when a sublime pass by Ivan Rakitic found Kalinic and his right foot shot went beyond the reach of Ukranian goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.

Ukraine looked dangerous at times in attack but never really came close to equalising and Croatia held on for an important win. The result leaves Ukraine in third place, five points behind Croatia.

Turkey ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Finland in the earlier kick-off in Antalya. Turkey opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute when midfielder Olcan Sahan found striker Cenk Tosun, who dispatched the ball into the net, and just four minutes later Tosun doubled his account after being set-up by Selcuk Inan.

Finland never recovered, despite having more possession, but almost got back into the match just before half-time when Perparim Hetemaj struck the crossbar with a wonderful strike from outside the box. The result leaves Turkey in fourth place, level on points with Ukraine but behind them on goal difference.

Iceland kept their qualification hopes alive and kicking thanks to a gruelling 2-1 win over Kosovo at the Loro-Borici Stadium in Shkoder. Talismanic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson was the provider for Iceland’s opening goal after 28 minutes when his shot was saved by goalkeeper Samir Ujkani but fell to the feet of striker Bjoern Sigurdarson, who put the ball firmly past the Kosovan shot-stopper.

Iceland went 2-0 up after 35 minutes when the referee pointed to the spot and Sigurdsson stepped up to slot the ball home and put Iceland firmly in control. Kosovo made it 2-1 just seven minutes into the second half when midfielder Herolind Shala passed to Atdhe Nuhiu and he put the ball passed Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson, but Iceland held on to take all three points. Kosovo remain bottom of the table on goal difference behind Finland.