Kolarov puts Serbia on the verge of World Cup qualification

Spain maintained their place at the top of Group G with an 8-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein, capping a week of impressive performances in World Cup qualifying for Julen Lopetegui’s side. “They had to dig incredibly deep to get that result”, said manager Michael O’Neill.

“The players, who love him to death anyway, if there’s anything that would keep you going, it would be that, for Coleman to make it to the World Cup”.

O’Neill’s men have been on the receiving end of sharp criticism since struggling to a draw with Georgia on Saturday. They beat Germany in Dublin in the last campaign when they had previously scraped past Georgia. Now they risk being overhauled by their neighbours, in Wales.

Tuesday night’s encounter between Ireland and Serbia will go a long way to determining who books their place in Russian Federation next summer, while both nations hope Georgia force another Welsh upset.

There are only two matches left to be played and it is fair to say that Serbia have the biggest chance to qualify as group winners, whereas Ireland and Wales will fight it out until the last moment for the second spot.

It’s freakish that under-the-radar O’Neill has yet to be lured over to either the Premier League or a top Championship club, however while his loyalty to his country must be applauded, next summer could prove to be the ideal time to return to club management for the first time since 2011.

The game in Dublin ended with an evenly-spread possession, but the 49% Ireland and 51% Serbia do not paint the proper picture here. They have been among Europe’s great underachievers in recent years.

O’Neill took over in 2011, after Northern Ireland failed to reach Euro 2012, and has taken the team from 129th in Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings up to 23rd. Mitrovic needed no reminding of how significant that would be.

Alvaro Morata and Iago Aspas each scored two goals as Spain maintained their three-point advantage over second-placed Italy with two matches remaining.

But it was Serbia who opened the scoring through Kolarov. It’s not just a recent thing because Jonny has been at that level for so long. “We can only do our job and other jobs we can’t affect, we had a job to do tonight and we’ve done that”. Norwich City’s Wes Hoolahan offers more craft and less graft. The personnel may be the same. They hope the spirit in the stands will also be familiar. “The supporters have been first class”, said Jonathan Walters. “We can get to the play-offs, we can still make it”. Ireland performed with more gusto and enterprise than they mustered in their previous three matches, but the blustery pursuit of good intentions was not enough to avoid defeat against the group D leaders.

“Kolarov has scored a rocket of a goal, but to be honest I don’t remember them threatening us three times in the game, and their captain said it was his toughest game at worldwide level”.

So are Wales and Serbia.

The lack of a clinical finisher shone through in this game, O’Neill lamented.