Substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic served up a timely reminder of his potency with a high-quality double as Serbia condemned the Republic of Ireland to defeat in their opening World Cup qualifier. Ireland’s defensive organisation was impressive in the early stages and served to starve frontmen Vlahovic and Filip Djuricic of meaningful possession, and it was they who took the lead with 18 minutes gone. The Republic keeper had to make a smart save from Djuricic with Tadic, who curled the resulting corner into the side-netting, once again the architect to ensure his side went in at the break level. But Vlahovic only just failed to get a touch on defender Nikola Milenkovic’s raking 63rd-minute strike as it sped inches wide of the far post at the other end, prompting striker Mitrovic’s introduction. Substitute Collins pulled one back for the visitors with four minutes to go after capitalising on Stefan Mitrovic’s weak header, but there was no way back.

Source: Express March 24, 2021 21:56 UTC