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Summary

  • Serbia come from behind to win 2-1 in Portugal and pip opponents to World Cup spot

  • Last-gasp Mitrovic goal means Portugal into play-offs

  • Spain beat Sweden 1-0 (Morata) to reach World Cup

  • Sweden have to make do with play-off place

  • Luxembourg 0-3 Republic of Ireland (Duffy, Ogbene & Robinson) - neither can qualify for World Cup

  • Republic now undefeated in five qualifiers

  1. Postpublished at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    That is all from us for tonight.

    We had an Ireland win in Luxembourg, some tension in Spain and serious drama in Portugal.

    I think that'll do!

    Night everyone.

  2. 'We are not perfect... but there is more to come'published at 22:06 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: Luxembourg 0-3 Republic of Ireland

    Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a tough game. They play some good football. We felt they can hurt us but we can hurt them and exploit the back four with pace. We lacked control in the first half but we went for it out of possession and left ourselves exposed. But we knew we could score. We created chances and are delighted to win.

    "We got in several times. The final pass wasn't quite right. It was pretty open and frenetic. We knew we just had to win the game, get after them and force errors.

    "One of the advantages of being U21 manager previously is that I know the character of the players, I know Jason Knight's strength and characteristics. We are delighted to have him.

    "Since we lost to Luxembourg and Portugal we are doing well. We know we are not perfect but there are players coming through and more to come. There was pressure on the players and they have responded. They are a pleasure to work with. It is a collective effort.

    "I would rather the fans sing about the players than me. I appreciate it but it is about players. Ours have been magnificent over the last few months."

  3. 'We had to find a way to win'published at 22:02 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: Luxembourg 0-3 Republic of Ireland

    Ireland striker Chiedozie Ogbene, speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm delighted to score again but I owe it to the team. We came here and got the win and keep a clean sheet against a good team. Knighty spotted me. He came on and changed the game. Three goals away from home is incredible.

    "Credit to the fans for coming out here and supporting us. We needed the support. They lifted us.

    "We had to find a way to win, We knew what we wanted to do and it was always going to take time.

    "This time last year I was in a knee brace. I worked so hard to be here. Stephen Kenny, credit to him for getting me in this position."

  4. Postpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Things are going well for some individuals in the Ireland side too...

    Chiedozie Ogbene is the first player to score in both of his first two competitive away internationals for Republic of Ireland since Stephen Ireland in 2007. Ogbene has more goals in his five senior international games (two) than he does in 58 appearances in all competitions for his current club Rotherham United (one).

    And having only scored once in his first 20 senior internationals for Republic of Ireland, Callum Robinson has since bagged six in his last four for his country.

  5. Postpublished at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    It was a positive night for Ireland too.

    They have now won three of their last four matches in all competitions - as many as their previous 22 beforehand (W3 D11 L8).

    They have also scored 20 goals in 12 internationals in 2021, two more than they scored in 27 games across 2018, 2019 and 2020 combined before this (18 goals).

    And they have kept a clean sheet in four consecutive internationals under a single manager for the first time since October 2011, a run of eight under Giovanni Trapattoni.

  6. Postpublished at 21:47 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    You have to love a full-squad pile-on in the last minute of the last qualifier of a group to celebrate qualification. Mad scenes from the Serbia players and staff in Portugal.

  7. Postpublished at 21:43 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    So, they left it very late but Spain are there and Serbia (who left it even later) are joining them. Portugal and Sweden have to go through the play-offs to join them at next year's World Cup finals in Qatar.

    Ronaldo looks devastatedImage source, Getty Images
  8. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Portugal 1-2 Serbia

    All over!

    Serbia are heading to the World Cup!

    It is the play-offs for Portugal.

    What drama!

  9. Postpublished at 21:38 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Portugal 1-2 Serbia

    Seconds left now, Serbia are almost there unless Cristiano Ronaldo has any more late heroics up his sleeve...?

  10. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:37 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Spain 1-0 Sweden

    Morata is the hero!

    Spain have reached a 12th consecutive World Cup.

    Sweden will have to hope they can reach Qatar via the play-offs.

  11. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:35 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Luxembourg 0-3 Republic of Ireland

    Ireland end an otherwise disappointing campaign on a positive note, exorcising some demons against Luxembourg to finish third in the group.

    Something to build on.

  12. goal

    GOAL - Portugal 1-2 Serbiapublished at 21:34 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Aleksandar Mitrovic (90 mins)

    Wow!

    Incredible scenes in Portugal as Aleksandar Mitrovic pulls away from his marker to meet a cross and he makes no mistake with a downward header.

    He might just have sent Serbia to the World Cup!

    Mitrovic scoresImage source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 21:34 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Luxembourg 0-3 Republic of Ireland

    Into two minutes of added time.

  14. Postpublished at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Portugal 1-1 Serbia

    Late goal in Spain, anything in Portugal? Nothing yet as substitute João Félix takes on the Serbia defence, doesn't get through but does win a late corner.

    Into the final 90 seconds...

  15. Postpublished at 21:31 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Spain 1-0 Sweden

    Party time in Seville.

  16. goal

    GOAL - Luxembourg 0-3 Republic of Irelandpublished at 21:30 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Callum Robinson

    It's three!

    Jason Knight cushions a cross from James McClean into the path of Callum Robinson to side-foot into an empty net.

    Ireland are finishing on a high.

  17. goal

    GOAL - Spain 1-0 Swedenpublished at 21:29 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Alvaro Morata (85 mins)

    Spain are going to the World Cup!

    Dani Olmo cuts in from the left and smashes the ball against the crossbar from range.

    The ball bounces straight to Alvaro Morata running in who chips the ball into an empty net. No question of offside.

  18. Postpublished at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Another change for Sweden with five to go.

    Emil Krafth limps off. On comes Martin Olsson

  19. CLOSE!published at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Portugal 1-1 Serbia

    Oh was that the chance! I think it was.

    Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has been so quiet you'd be forgiven for thinking he was still on the bench, finally finds space in the Portugal defence to leap and meet a great cross but he flashes his header wide.

  20. Postpublished at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Luxembourg 0-2 Republic of Ireland

    Five minutes to go. Ireland in complete control.