Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was greeted with a mixture of jeers and applause on his 92nd international appearance just days after voting in a referendum on Catalan independence deemed illegal by the Spanish government and blighted by police violence. Four-time World Cup winner Italy are destined for the November play-off after Macedonian substitute Aleksandar Trajkovski's 77th-minute equaliser cancelled out a first-half goal by veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini.Spain are competing in their 11th consecutive World Cup! ?? pic.twitter.com/q17AocowGM
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 6, 2017
Serbia missed out on a chance to wrap up qualification from Group D with a match to spare as Louis Schaub struck a minute from time to give Austria victory in Vienna. Serbia, who could have sealed a spot in Russia with victory, led through an early Luka Milivojevic goal but fell behind as Austria replied through efforts from Guido Burgstaller and Marko Arnautovic.?? Giorgio Chiellini fired Italy ahead just before half-time ⚽️
The @azzurri haven't lost home qualifier since June 2002... pic.twitter.com/c6wrzG01Xv— European Qualifiers (@EuroQualifiers) October 6, 2017
Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic had levelled on 83 minutes before Schaub's winner, but Serbia can still advance by defeating Georgia in their final qualifier in Belgrade on Monday. Tom Lawrence scored his first international goal to earn Wales a vital 1-0 victory in Georgia and keep them firmly in the hunt for a finals berth.QUALIFIED: Spain seal @FIFAWorldCup spot! Iceland claim at least a play-off berth ✔️ Italy secure second place ✔️ pic.twitter.com/Sa01BjpDnP
— European Qualifiers (@EuroQualifiers) October 6, 2017
The Derby County forward rifled in the winner four minutes after half-time in Tbilisi as Chris Coleman's team stayed a point clear of third-placed Republic of Ireland. The Irish brushed Moldova aside 2-0 in Dublin through a first-half brace from Daryl Murphy and now face Wales at home in a final-round showdown with first place in the group still in play.3 points and 50th cap ?#nationalsmiledayGood start to the weekend #togetherstronger pic.twitter.com/7N9MQXkfUz
— Aaron Ramsey (@aaronramsey) October 6, 2017
Serbia head the section on 18 points with Wales, aiming to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958, second on 17 and Ireland another point further back. Iceland took a huge step towards a maiden World Cup appearance with an impressive 3-0 win over Turkey in Eskisehir that leaves the host all but out of the running.?? Group I leaders Iceland certain of at least a play-off place. Victory on Monday would secure 1st @FIFAWorldCup place in their history. ? pic.twitter.com/OgIhcfyCQj
— European Qualifiers (@EuroQualifiers) October 6, 2017
Johann Gudmundsson, Birkir Bjarnason and Kari Arnason scored as Iceland pulled two points clear of Croatia at the top of Group I after the latter were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to eliminated Finland. Ukraine are level on 17 points with Croatia following a 2-0 win away to Kosovo and host the Croats in Kiev on Monday.FRIDAY'S RESULTSGeorgia 0 Wales 1 (Lawrence 49)Austria 3 (Burgstaller 25, Arnautovic 76, Schaub 89) Serbia 2 (Milivojevic 11, Matic 83)Ireland 2 (Murphy 2, 19) Moldova 0Italy 1 (Chiellini 40) Macedonia 1 (Trajkovski 77)Liechtenstein 0 Israel 1 (Tibi 21)Spain 3 (Rodrigo 16, Isco 24, T Alcantara 27) Albania 0Croatia 1 (Mandzukic 57) Finland 1 (Soiri 90)Kosovo 0 Ukraine 2 (Paqarada 60-og, Yarmolenko 87)Turkey 0 Iceland 3 (Gudmundsson 32, Bjarnason 39, Arnason 50)?? All-time appearances for Italy: ⭐️ Buffon 172 ⭐️ Cannavaro 136 ⭐️ Maldini 126 ⭐️ Pirlo 116 ⭐️ De Rossi 116 Favourite? ? pic.twitter.com/NhIXnTmU6V
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) October 6, 2017
