Qatar 2022: Serbia and Spain qualify for World Cup finals

The result lifted Serbia into top spot on 20 points, three more than second-placed Portugal who only needed a draw to finish top on goal difference and qualify but will now head into the March playoffs.

Mitrovic beat home goalkeeper Rui Patricio with a downward header at the far post to spark wild celebrations on Serbia’s bench after visiting captain Dusan Tadic had cancelled out an early Renato Sanches opener for Portugal.

Spain qualified for next year’s World Cup finals in Qatar by beating visitors Sweden 1-0 thanks to a goal by substitute Alvaro Morata late in the second half on Sunday.

Spain, who won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, finished top of Group B with 19 points, four ahead of the second-placed Swedes who could still qualify through the playoffs in March.

Late Russia own goal sends Croatia to World Cup finals

Croatia clinched an automatic berth in next year’s World Cup finals in dramatic fashion as a late Fedor Kudryashov own goal gave them a 1-0 home win over Russia in their crunch Group D qualifier on Sunday.

Croatia, the 2018 World Cup runners-up, jumped above Russia to top the standings on 23 points from 10 games, one more than the second-placed Russians who will head into the March playoffs.

Croatia (0) 1 Russia (0) 0

Malta (0) 0 Slovakia (3) 6

Slovenia (0) 2 Cyprus (0) 1

Armenia (0) 1 Germany (2) 4

Liechtenstein (0) 0 Romania (1) 2

North Macedonia (1) 3 Iceland (0) 1

Portugal (1) 1 Serbia (1) 2

Luxembourg (0) 0 Republic of Ireland (0) 3

Greece v Kosovo in play

Spain (0) 1 Sweden (0) 0

Northern Ireland v Italy (1945)

Switzerland v Bulgaria (1945)

Austria v Moldova (1945)

Israel v Faroe Islands (1945)

Scotland v Denmark (1945)

Albania v Andorra (1945)

Poland v Hungary (1945)

San Marino v England (1945)

REUTERS