World Cup 2018 Qualifier Report: Serbia 2 - 2 Republic of Ireland

Daryl Murphy’s first international goal helped the Republic of Ireland come from behind to earn a valuable point in their opening game of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign against Serbia in Belgrade.

Murphy’s header ten minutes from time secured the point after Ireland found themselves 2-1 down late in the second-half having led at half-time thanks to an excellent Jeff Hendrick strike after three minutes.

Martin O’Neill’s side got off to a flying start when a Robbie Brady free-kick was loosely palmed away by Serbia stopper Predrag Rajkovic. John O’Shea retrieved the ball and sent it back into the danger zone where Shane Long was on hand to touch it onto Hendrick who blasted it into the net via a slight Branislav Ivanovic deflection.

From that moment on the hosts would dominate the majority of first-half proceedings in a rain-soaked Stadion Rajko Mitic.

On 17 minutes, Filip Kostic was the first to test Darren Randolph but his 20-yard drive was safely caught by the West Ham United stopper. Minutes later Kostic again found space and this time angled a shot low towards the corner, however, Randolph did well to stretch and push the ball around the post.

Despite the Serbs’ heavy pressure, Ireland did grind out a fantastic opportunity to double their advantage when Brady whipped a ball towards the near-post. Johnny Walters was on hand to meet it with his head, however Rajkovic reacted well and palmed the ball away from goal.

Just before half-time, Aleksandar Mitrovic spurned a glorious chance to bring the sides level when Antonio Rukavina’s dynamic cross was parried into his path by Randolph, however the Newcastle United forward fluffed his lines and the chance went a-begging.

The second half began in a similar fashion to the end of the opening period with Serbia continuing to mount pressure on the Irish backline with Dusan Tadic coming close from range and Luka Milivojevic unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when his cross was blocked by the arm of Seamus Coleman inside the area.

However, shortly after the hour Serbia found their breakthrough when Tadic’s cross squeezed through to the unmarked Kostic who made no mistake in burying the ball deep into the back of the net at the back post.

Five minutes later the influential Tadic almost scored Serbia’s second when he fired a ball down the throat of Randolph who did well to clutch the ball tight to his chest.

However, Tadic wouldn’t have to wait much longer to get his name on the score-sheet as Walters was harshly judged to have fouled Kostic inside the box leading the ref to point straight to the spot. Tadic stepped up, waited for Randolph to make his move, and then put the ball straight down the middle to give the Serbs the lead for the first time.

On 72 minutes, Andrija Pavlovic should have wrapped up the victory but he hit the crossbar following some poor goalkeeping from Randolph allowed the substitute a clear-shot on goal.

As the game reached its closing period Ireland finally began to play decent possession football. A Murphy flick-on from a precise cross-field ball allowed Long to snatch at the ball from close-range but Rajkovic spread his body well to send it out for a corner.

Brady fizzled the corner into the six-yard area where Murphy climbed above his man to power his header into the net and put the teams back on level terms.

In the dying embers of the game, Serbia could have snatched all three points when a corner ball dropped to Ivanovic. However, despite beating Randolph, the Serbia captain's shot couldn’t beat Coleman, who hooked it away off the line.

The final whistle blew minutes later to confirm the massive yet fortunate point for the Republic of Ireland.

Serbia: Predrag Rajkovic, Branislav Ivanovic, Matja Nastasic, Jagos Vukovic, Antonio Rukavina, Luka Milivojevic, Nemanja Gudelj, Filip Mladenovic (Dusko Tosic), Dusan Tadic, Aleksander Mitrovic (Andrija Pavlovic 59), Filip Kostic (Alejsandar Katai 82).

Subs not used: Marko Dmitrovic, Aleksander ignjovski, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Nikolo Maksimovic, Lazar Markovic, Stefan Mitrovic, Slobodan Rajkovic, Nikolo Stojiljkovic, Zoran Tosic.

Booked: Matija Nastasic (72), Aleksandar Katai (83).

Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph, Seamus Coleman, John O’Shea, Richard Keogh, Stephen Ward (Stephen Quinn 70), James McClean, Glenn Whelan, Jeff Hendrick (Daryl Murphy 75), Robbie Brady, Jonathan Walters, Shane Long (Ciaran Clark 90).

Subs not used: Kieran Westwood, Gary Rogers, Marc Wilson, David Meyler, Paul McShane, Aidan McGeady, Wes Hoolahan, Cyrus Christie, Harry Arter.

Booked: Stephen Ward (21), Jeff Hendrick (28), Robbie Brady (60), Glenn Whelan (88).

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).

Attendance: 55,500 (estimate).

Extratime Man of the Match: Daryl Murphy (Republic of Ireland).