Serbia and minnows Iceland have become the latest teams to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Striker Aleksandar Prijovic of Greek club PAOK scored with 16 minutes remaining to give Serbia a priceless 1-0 win at home to Georgia. The result was enough for the team to book a place as Group D winners.
In the battle for the playoffs in the group, a Bale-less Wales suffered heartbreak following a 1-0 home loss to rivals Republic of Ireland courtesy James McClean’s 57th minute strike. The result was enough for Republic of Ireland to seal a playoff spot.
Iceland have also qualified as Group I winners after they defeated Kosovo 2-0 at home with goals from Everton star Gylfi Sigurdsson and his Burnley counterparts Johan Berg Gudmundsson. They will become the smallest nation to feature at a FIFA World Cup in Russia next year.
In a winner takes all battle, Croatia defeated Ukraine 2-0 away from home to secure a playoff spot. TSG Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric was the matchwinner for the Croats as he netted a brace to help his country into the playoff picture.
Results
Group D:
Serbia 1-0 Georgia
Moldova 0-1 Austria
Wales 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Standings:
- Serbia 21 points (Qualified)
- Republic of Ireland 19 points (Playoff)
- Wales 17 points
- Austria 15 points
- Georgia 5 points
- Moldova 2 points
Group G:
Albania 0-1 Italy
Macedonia 4-0 Liechtenstein
Israel 0-1 Spain
Standings:
- Spain 28 points (Qualified)
- Italy 23 points (Playoff)
- Albania 13 points
- Israel 12 points
- Macedonia 11 points
- Liechtenstein 0 point
Group I:
Ukraine 0-2 Croatia
Iceland 2-0 Kosovo
Finland 2-2 Turkey
Standings:
- Iceland 22 points (Qualified)
- Croatia 20 points (Playoff)
- Ukraine 17 points
- Turkey 15 points
- Finland 9 points
-
Kosovo 1 point
