THERE WAS GOOD news for the Republic of Ireland this evening, after Serbia and Wales played out a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifier clash.
Following Ireland’s draw against Austria in the Aviva Stadium, Martin O’Neill’s men were looking for as little movement as possible on the Group D table.
Serbia were one point adrift of Ireland ahead of this evening’s game, while Wales were four points back in third place, but this evening’s result restores Slavoljub Muslin’s side to the top of Group D, with Ireland facing both sides in vital World Cup qualifiers later this year.
Aleksandar Mitrović and Aaron Ramsey were on target for their respective sides this evening, with the latter edging Wales into the lead after they were awarded a 35th-minute penalty.
Goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic foolishly attempted to shield a long ball out of play on the right and dragged Ramsey to ground, conceding a free-kick from which Luka Milivojevic’s tug on Sam Vokes’ shirt saw a penalty awarded to the visitors.
Ramsey stepped up to brilliantly chip his spot-kick into the corner, echoing Antonin Panenka’s famous penalty at the same end of this stadium in Euro 1976.
But Mitrovic responded for the home side with a strike after 73 minutes.
Aleksandar Prijovic ran in behind to meet fellow substitute Nemanja Gudelj’s pass and nudged a flick into Mitrovic’s path, the Newcastle United forward controlling well and finishing superbly beyond Wayne Hennessey.
Both sides then went hunting a winner, with Ramsey drawing a smart save from Stojkovic and Mitrovic acrobatically volleying wide.
Earlier this evening, fellow Group D sides Moldova and Georgia played out a 2-2 draw.
Additional reporting by Omni.
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