It was another effervescent performance from Fulham striker Mitrovic who took his tally to seven goals in the qualifiers, firing Serbia ahead in the 22nd minute as he steered in a sublime pass by Sergej-Milinkovic Savic. Serbia nosed ahead of Portugal on goal difference with both teams on 10 points from four games, four ahead of third-placed Luxembourg. Ireland and Azerbaijan have one point each after their 1-1 draw in Dublin. Serbia took their foot off the pedal after the break and were punished for some slack defending in the 77th minute as Olivier Thill pulled one back for Luxembourg with a rasping shot from 18 meters. Serbia next visit Ireland and Portugal are at Azerbaijan on Tuesday in what is shaping up to be a neck-to-neck race for an automatic berth at next year’s tournament in Qatar.

Source: National Post September 04, 2021 18:11 UTC