Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 Serbia | 2022 - FIFA World Cup | 2030895

European Qualifiers Qualifying Round - Group A | Aviva Stadium, Dublin
07 September 2021 - 19:45

Republic of Ireland 1 - 1 Serbia

full-time S. Milinković-Savić(20) Milenković(87)
Republic of Ireland Serbia

REPORT | Ireland 1-1 Serbia - Late equaliser secures point

The Republic of Ireland claimed a draw against Serbia in an entertaining match at the Aviva Stadium. Sergej Milinković­-Savić opening the scoring for the visitors only for a late goal from Shane Duffy secured a point for Ireland.
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8th Sep 2021

The home side rallied late and could have claimed all three points in what was an excellent display by the home side. The game will be remembered for the outstanding performance of Gavin Bazunu who was a guardian of the gates of the Aviva Stadium.

Andrew Omobamidele made his first competitive start for Ireland along with Jamie McGrath who made his home debut with Alan Browne, Jeff Hendrick also starting as Stephen Kenny made four changes from the side that drew with Azerbjaian.

The first chance of the match fell to the visitors when a cross from the right was headed over by Filip Djuričić which took a deflection of James McClean, the resulting corner saw Gavin Bazunu punch it clear.

A mix up in the back saw Shane Duffy lose the ball to Dušan Tadić however his shot was excellently saved by Bazunu. Ireland's first attack came when Jamie McGrath’s free-kick was sent into the area but it was headed clear at the near post.

Alan Browne sent in an excellent ball to Adam Idah but his header just flashed wide of Predrag Rajković post. Bazunu was called into action once again this time to stop Nemanja Gudelj’s long-range effort.

Jeff Hendrick went close with a clever effort that just went wide of Rajković’s post. The visitors took the lead, however, when Sergej Milinković­-Savić near post header snuck past Bazunu who got a hand to it at the near post from a corner from Tadić.

Ireland continued to press and Hendrick went close again but his curling free-kick following a foul by Djuričić was well saved. Aleksandar Mitrović was denied when his half volley was excellently saved by Bazunu as he pushed his effort around the post.

Ireland started brightly in the second half which a series of early chances, the best came when a cross from James McClean was met by Alan Browne in the area but he couldn’t get the right connection on it.

Mitrović was once again denied by Bazunu as his low effort was saved excellently with his feet. He was called into action once again as Bazunu pulled off an excellent save to deny Mitrović with a low block.

James McClean stopped what was a certain second goal as he cleared Jović’s shot after he beat Bazunu on the edge of the area. Ireland got their equaliser following a period of pressure, Callum Robinson’s cross was headed down by Shane Duffy and his effort struck off two Serbian defenders and past Rajković.

Serbia nearly restored their lead with a long-range free-kick from Nemanja Gudelj struck the crossbar. Shane Duffy nearly added a second for Ireland as he towered over Robinson’s cross but it went over the bar. Andrew Omobamidele was denied right on the final whistle as his shot was well saved.

Republic of Ireland: Gavin Bazunu, Matt Doherty, Shane Duffy (C) , John Egan, Josh Cullen (Jayson Molumby 66 mins) , Alan Browne (Callum Robinson 57 mins), Adam Idah (James Collins 78), James McClean, Jeff Hendrick (Conor Hourihane 78), Jamie McGrath (Jayson Molumby 66 mins), Andrew Omobamidele.
Subs: Caoimhin Kelleher (GK), James Talbot (GK), Ryan Manning, Troy Parrott, Cyrus Christie, James Collins, Harry Arter, Liam Scales.
Serbia: Predrag Rajković, Strahinja Pavlović, Nikola Milenković (Darko Lazović 86), Nemanja Gudelj, Aleksandar Mitrović, Dušan Tadić © (Nemanja Maksimović 82), Miloš Veljković, Filip Kostić, Dušan Vlahović (Luka Jović 71), Sergej Milinković­Savić, Filip Djuričić (Nemanja Radonjić 71).
Subs: Marko Dmitrović, Mile Svilar, Ivan Ilić, Stefan Mitrović, Uroš Račić, Saša Lukić, Mihailo Ristić, Darko Lazović, Filip Mladenović.
Referee: José María Sánchez (ESP)
Man of the Match: Gavin Bazunu
Booked: Filip Djuričić, Adam Idah, Nemanja Radonjić, Jayson Molumby

PREVIEW | Republic of Ireland v Serbia

Republic of Ireland welcome Serbia to the Aviva Stadium for their third and final FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier of the September international window. 
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6th Sep 2021

Ireland go into the game on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan on Saturday in front of over 21,000 supporters. 

Serbia come into the match on the back of an impressive 4-1 win over Luxembourg and as they look to continue their impressive qualifying campaign so far, which leaves them top of Group A, ahead of Portugal on goal difference. 

Match Details

Fixture: Republic of Ireland v Serbia
Date: Tuesday, September 7
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Competition: FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifying - European Qualifiers
TV: RTE & Sky Sports

Team News

Ireland captain Seamus Coleman has been ruled out of the Serbia qualifier through injury and has been Cyrus Christie called up to link up with the squad today ahead of MD-1 training at the Aviva Stadium. 

Tickets 

A limited number of tickets for the Serbia match are available here.

Match Officials 

Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez (ESP)
Assistant 1: Raul Cabañero (ESP)
Assistant 2: Iñigo Prieto (ESP)
Fourth Official: Pablo González (ESP)
Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Hernández (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Teodoro Sobrino (ESP)

What he said - Ireland Manager Stephen Kenny

“I don’t accept that at all. The confidence of the players: they displayed the confidence. Take the four matches that people are talking about in the campaign. In the games against Serbia and Portugal away, they are probably two of our best performances away from home in the last decade, without question. We lost 3-2 and 2-1.

“Against Luxembourg, we didn’t play well, it was a poor performance but we still didn’t deserve to lose the game based on chances, we had more chances. The other night we dominated and we should have won well. 

“We have taken the best young players that we have seen, probably, for a long, long time and we blooded a lot of players in that period. And you are not always going to get a level of consistency with that.

“We didn’t not try to win the games. We went very close to winning in Serbia and winning against Portugal, away from home, we scored the first goal in both games, and played brilliant football in both games.

"Against Azerbaijan, it was a good occasion, the supporters were brilliant, we started brilliantly, couldn’t get that goal, they scored a goal from 25 yards and defended deep, we threw the kitchen sink at them, so many attempts at goal but we missed the target. Our finishing could have been better, we have only ourselves to blame in that regard."

Watch the full press conference with manager Stephen Kenny here...

What he said - Ireland defender James McClean

"As senior players, we have been here a long time, we know how it works and the young players need to learn, so we just have to tell them, 'you know what, it's part and parcel of football, pay no attention'. "You've got young players out and I don’t want to use it as a cop-out but these lads, this is their first time playing international football, this is a manager in his first time in international football.

"We are going a different path to what Ireland teams have produced in years in terms of style of football. "Not even that, you take into consideration the whole COVID thing, this is the first time these young lads are playing in front of crowds, and that spurs you on alone, so obviously I’d ask for patience with him.

"Football, it’s cut-throat, the media’s harsh and I ask for a bit of patience. But when you’re not winning games, it falls on deaf ears and I can understand that."

Watch the full press conference with James McClean here...

Republic of Ireland Squad

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), James Talbot (Bohemians)
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Liam Scales (Celtic), Cyrus Christie (Fulham)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End)
Attackers: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion)

Tactical Lineups

Republic of Ireland

1 Bazunu (G) 2 Doherty 4 Duffy (C) 5 Egan 6 Cullen 7 Browne 9 Idah 11 McClean 13 Hendrick 18 McGrath 22 Omobamidele

Coach

Stephen Kenny

Serbia

12 Rajković (G) 2 Pavlović 4 Milenković 8 Gudelj 9 Mitrović 10 Tadić (C) 15 Veljković 17 Kostić 18 Vlahović 20 Milinković-Savić 21 Djuričić

Substitutes

  • 1 Marko Dmitrović (G)
  • 23 Mile Svilar (G)
  • 3 Filip Mladenović
  • 5 Ivan Ilić
  • 6 Nemanja Maksimović
  • 7 Nemanja Radonjić
  • 11 Luka Jović
  • 13 Stefan Mitrović
  • 14 Uroš Račić
  • 16 Saša Lukić
  • 19 Mihailo Ristić
  • 22 Darko Lazović

Coach

Dragan Stojković

Officials

  • Referee José María Sánchez
  • Assistant Referees Raúl Cabañero
  • UEFA Delegate Per Svärd
  • Assistant Referee Two Iñigo Prieto
  • Fourth Official Pablo González Fuertes
  • Video Assistant Referee Alejandro Hernández
  • Assistant Video Assistant Referee Teodoro Sobrino
  • Referee Observer Marinus Koopman

Minute by Minute Commentary

  • 1" The match is under way.
  • 1" Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Aleksandar Mitrović (Serbia).
  • 1" Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 2" Filip Djuričić (Serbia) has a shot blocked.
  • 2" John Egan (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 3" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the corner.
  • 4" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the corner.
  • 4" Nemanja Gudelj (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland).
  • 5" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 5" Dušan Vlahović (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
  • 5" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 9" Strahinja Pavlović (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland).
  • 10" Jamie McGrath (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 11" Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 11" Strahinja Pavlović (Serbia) blocks a shot.
  • 11" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
  • 12" Predrag Rajković (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 13" Dušan Vlahović (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland).
  • 14" John Egan (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 15" Nemanja Gudelj (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
  • 15" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 16" Nemanja Gudelj (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
  • 16" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 17" Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 20" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the corner.
  • 20" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) assists.
  • 20" Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia) scores!
  • 25" Filip Djuričić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Jamie McGrath (Republic of Ireland).
  • 25" Filip Djuričić (Serbia) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 26" Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 26" Predrag Rajković (Serbia) blocks a shot.
  • 29" Nikola Milenković (Serbia) misses the target.
  • 30" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Strahinja Pavlović (Serbia).
  • 31" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 31" Predrag Rajković (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 32" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Dušan Tadić (Serbia).
  • 32" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 33" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the corner.
  • 39" Aleksandar Mitrović (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
  • 39" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 39" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the corner.
  • 42" Filip Djuričić (Serbia) has a shot blocked.
  • 42" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 42" Filip Kostić (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
  • 42" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 43" Filip Kostić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on @@player2 (@@team2).
  • 45+1" Dušan Vlahović (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland).
  • The referee blows for half-time.
  • 90+1" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 46" The second half begins.
  • 47" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Strahinja Pavlović (Serbia).
  • 47" Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 48" Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
  • 49" Predrag Rajković (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 49" Nikola Milenković (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Jamie McGrath (Republic of Ireland).
  • 49" Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 49" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) misses the target.
  • 49" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Strahinja Pavlović (Serbia).
  • 50" Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 50" Nemanja Gudelj (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 57" Aleksandar Mitrović (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
  • 57" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 57" Filip Kostić (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Alan Browne (Republic of Ireland).
  • 57" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 58" Callum Robinson (in) - Alan Browne (out) (@@teamID)
  • 59" Filip Djuričić (Serbia) misses the target.
  • 60" Aleksandar Mitrović (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
  • 60" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 60" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the corner.
  • 60" Nikola Milenković (Serbia) misses the target.
  • 61" Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia) misses the target.
  • 62" Josh Cullen (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia).
  • 63" Nemanja Gudelj (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 64" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the corner.
  • 65" Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland) is flagged for offside.
  • 65" Predrag Rajković (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 66" Aleksandar Mitrović (Serbia) is flagged for offside.
  • 66" Jayson Molumby (in) - Josh Cullen (out) (@@teamID)
  • 66" Daryl Horgan (in) - Jamie McGrath (out) (@@teamID)
  • 67" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 69" Aleksandar Mitrović (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Andrew Omobamidele (Republic of Ireland).
  • 69" Andrew Omobamidele (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 70" Nemanja Radonjić (in) - Filip Djuričić (out) (@@teamID)
  • 70" Luka Jović (in) - Dušan Vlahović (out) (@@teamID)
  • 71" Miloš Veljković (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland).
  • 72" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 74" Nemanja Radonjić (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
  • 74" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 74" Luka Jović (Serbia) has a shot blocked.
  • 74" Andrew Omobamidele (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 77" Callum Robinson (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on @@player2 (@@team2).
  • 77" Nemanja Gudelj (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 78" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the corner.
  • 78" Conor Hourihane (in) - Jeff Hendrick (out) (@@teamID)
  • 78" James Collins (in) - Adam Idah (out) (@@teamID)
  • 79" Matt Doherty (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Filip Kostić (Serbia).
  • 79" Dušan Tadić (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 79" Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia) misses the target.
  • 82" Aleksandar Mitrović (Serbia) is penalised for a foul on Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland).
  • 82" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 83" Nemanja Maksimović (in) - Dušan Tadić (out) (@@teamID)
  • 84" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 84" Filip Kostić (Serbia) has an effort on goal.
  • 84" Gavin Bazunu (Republic of Ireland) blocks a shot.
  • 85" Nemanja Radonjić (Serbia) is flagged for offside.
  • 85" Nemanja Radonjić (Serbia) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 85" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the free-kick.
  • 87" Nikola Milenković (Serbia) scores!
  • 87" Darko Lazović (in) - Filip Kostić (out) (@@teamID)
  • 89" Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Nemanja Gudelj (Serbia).
  • 89" Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) is cautioned by the referee.
  • 89" Nemanja Gudelj (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 90+1" Daryl Horgan (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 90+2" John Egan (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Strahinja Pavlović (Serbia).
  • 90+2" Predrag Rajković (Serbia) takes the free-kick.
  • 90+3" Andrew Omobamidele (Republic of Ireland) has an effort on goal.
  • 90+3" Predrag Rajković (Serbia) blocks a shot.
  • 90+3" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 90+3" John Egan (Republic of Ireland) has a shot blocked.
  • 90+3" Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia) blocks a shot.
  • 90+3" Conor Hourihane (Republic of Ireland) takes the corner.
  • 90+3" Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland) is penalised for a foul on Predrag Rajković (Serbia).
  • The final whistle is blown.

Match Statistics

  • Republic of Ireland
  • Serbia

Corners Won

4 8

Shots on Target

2 11

Shots off Target

3 5

Fouls Committed

11 11
  • Republic of Ireland

    Serbia

  • 0Goals2
  • 3Yellow Card(s)2
  • 0Red Card(s)0
  • 2Shots on Goal11
  • 3Shots Wide5
  • 2Shot(s) Blocked3
  • 12Save(s)4
  • 7Total Shots19
  • 11Fouls Committed11
  • 4Corner(s)8
  • 3Offside(s)2