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Agence France-Presse

The Republic of Ireland secured a World Cup play-off spot at Wales’ expense after James McClean’s crisp second-half strike earned his side a 1-0 victory in Cardiff on Monday.
The West Bromwich Albion winger’s goal moved Ireland above Wales into second place in group D below Serbia, meaning Martin O’Neill’s men will be one of the eight teams in the European play-off draw on October 17.
“The performance of the players was absolutely fantastic,” said Ireland manager O’Neill.
“We had to withstand a lot of pressure, which you would expect. But we had to win tonight in Cardiff and we’ve done exactly that.
“James scores a great goal for us and then we have to withstand more pressure. Some great, great performances all around. And so we go to the play-offs.”

While Ireland remain on course for a first World Cup finals appearance since 2002, surprise Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales saw their dream of a first appearance at the tournament since 1958 turn to dust.
Bereft of Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, and robbed of Joe Allen by a suspected concussion in the first half, Wales fell to their first defeat in the group and their first loss in a competitive home game in over four years.
The tense game at Cardiff City Stadium stands to be Chris Coleman’s last as Wales manager in a competitive fixture, the architect of last year’s Euro heroics having pledged to stand down after the current World Cup cycle.
“We just came up a bit short tonight,” Coleman said. “Our imagination, offensively, we didn’t quite have enough.
“I can’t say right now about my future because I’m not thinking about it. The dressing room’s full of devastated players and staff.
“The whole nation will be mourning because that elusive World Cup has passed us by again.”

Serbia finished top of group D with a 1-0 win over Georgia, Aleksandar Prijovic scoring after coming on as a second-half substitute to end an eight-year major finals absence.
Elsewhere, Iceland qualified for the World Cup for the first time after beating Kosovo 2-0 on Monday.
Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson and Johann Gudmundsson scored in Reykjavik as Iceland, with a population of just 330,000, became the smallest country to advance to the World Cup finals.
It is the tiny northern European island nation’s second successive appearance at a major tournament after their shock win over England in a surprise run to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals.
Iceland needed all three points to secure top spot in European qualifying Group I as Croatia, who sacked coach Ante Cacic last week, downed Ukraine 2-0 in Kiev in the fight to claim second place.
Asier Illarramendi netted the only goal in Jerusalem as Spain completed their successful qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Israel, while Antonio Candreva grabbed a second-half winner for Italy in a 1-0 victory away to Albania in group G.
Italy will be the top seeds for the November play-offs, the draw for which is made in Zurich on October 17.



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2018 Fifa World Cup European qualifying

Ireland break Wales hearts to reach World Cup play-offs as Iceland make history

Republic of Ireland’s James McClean celebrates his goal. Photo: Reuters

Iceland's captain Aron Gunnarsson celebrates with teammates at the end of the World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match between Iceland and Kosovo in Reykjavik, Iceland, Monday Oct. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Brynjar Gunnarsson)

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Wales vs Republic of Ireland - Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 9, 2017 Republic of Ireland fans celebrate after the match Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Wales vs Republic of Ireland - Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - October 9, 2017 Wales' Aaron Ramsey looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Rebecca Naden

World Cup latest: England and Germany qualify for Russia, but Lionel Messi could be set to miss out as Argentina slump

Argentina's Lionel Messi screams in disbelief after playing Peru to a 0-0 draw. Photo: AP

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Germany - Windsor Park, Belfast, Britain - October 5, 2017 Northern Ireland fan looks dejected Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Germany's midfielder Sebastian Rudy (L) celebrates with Germany's defender Joshua Kimmich after scoring the opening goal of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Northern Ireland and Germany at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast on October 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Paul FAITH

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Scotland vs Slovakia - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Britain - October 5, 2017 Scotland’s Chris Martin and teammates celebrate after Scotland's first goal Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - England vs Slovenia - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 5, 2017 England’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Argentina fans lament themselves in the stands after their team played Peru to a 0-0 draw, after a World Cup qualifying soccer match at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. The draw left Argentina with little possibility to make to the World Cup in Russia.(AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Armenia vs Poland - Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia - October 5, 2017 Poland’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Argentina's Angel Di Maria reacts after missing a chance to score during a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Peru, at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - England vs Slovenia - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 5, 2017 Paper aeroplane is thrown onto the pitch by fans Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Sport

Football

James McClean’s strike earns 1-0 win in Cardiff with Serbia ending eight-year major finals drought


Ireland break Wales hearts to reach World Cup play-offs as Iceland make history

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}James McClean’s strike earns 1-0 win in Cardiff with Serbia ending eight-year major finals drought

James McClean’s strike earns 1-0 win in Cardiff with Serbia ending eight-year major finals drought