Football
2022 World Cup Qualifying - UEFA, Group Stage
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Vlahovic keeps Serbia on course to reach World Cup

Serbia boosted their hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup after a moment of individual skill from striker Dusan Vlahovic gave them a barely deserved 1-0 win at Luxembourg in a turgid Group A qualifier on Saturday.

The result lifted Serbia to the top of the group on 14 points from six games, one more than Portugal who have a game in hand. Luxembourg stayed third on six points from five games.

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Serbia lacked pace and intensity for much of the contest as manager Dragan Stojkovic's formation that included four forwards left a gaping hole in the centre of midfield, limiting the supply routes.

Anthony Moris blocked wing-back Filip Kostic's close-range shot in the second minute and Serbia failed to trouble the home goalkeeper before Vlahovic broke the deadlock from out of the blue in the 68th minute.

The Fiorentina striker took a long ball from Milos Veljkovic into his stride with a classy first touch and beat Moris with a crisp shot inside the near post from 14 metres after cutting into the penalty area.

Vlahovic had a carbon copy goal ruled out for offside in stoppage time after a VAR check as the visitors missed several chances on the break to score a second.

In the group's afternoon fixture, fourth-placed Ireland celebrated the first win of the campaign with a 3-0 away rout of bottom team Azerbaijan.

Serbia are at home to Azerbaijan and Portugal host Luxembourg in the next round of games on Tuesday.

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