HIGH-FIVE FOR ITALY; RAMSEY TO WALES’ RESCUE
Paris, June 12: Aaron Ramsey’s penalty helped Wales to a precious 1-1 draw in Serbia in World Cup qualifying on Sunday as they kept their hopes of a place at the finals in Russia alive.
Chris Coleman’s side were missing star man Gareth Bale due to suspension in Belgrade but Arsenal midfielder Ramsey inspired the visitors into a half-time lead when he floated in a 35thminute penalty, sending goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic the wrong way.
Ramsey had helped win the penalty by forcing Stojovic into a foul just outside the box as the goalkeeper tried to shepherd the ball behind for a goal-kick. Sam Vokes was fouled as he tried to head the ball.
However, substitute Aleksandar Prijovic set up Aleksandar Mitrovic to fire past Wayne Hennessey and equalise in the 73rd minute as Serbia stayed top of qualifying Group D.
Wales are still unbeaten in the group but this was a fifth straight draw and they are third, four points behind both Serbia and the Republic of Ireland, and level on points with Austria in fourth.
Ireland came from behind to draw 1-1 with Austria earlier with Stoke City striker Jon Walters volleying in the equaliser with five minutes left in Dublin.
That goal cancelled out Martin Hinteregger’s firsthalf opener and allowed the Irish to maintain their unbeaten record in qualifying.
Costa clinches it for Spain Spain remain level on points with Italy at the top of Group G after grinding out a 2-1 victory away to Macedonia, with Chelsea’s Diego Costa scoring what proved to be the winner.
The visitors took a 15th-minute lead as David Silva netted after being brilliantly set up by a combination of Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba.
Costa then tapped in after good play from Isco to make it 2-0 before the half-hour mark, with Stefan Ristovski’s superb strike pulling one back for the hosts.
Italy kept up with the 2010 World Cup winners as they cruised to a 5-0 win over Liechtenstein in Udine.
Lorenzo Insigne, Andrea Belotti, Eder, Federico Bernardeschi and Manolo Gabbiadini were all on target for Italy, who go to Spain next in September.
Those two should end up well clear of the rest, especially after Israel lost 3-0 at home to Albania.
In Group I, just two points separate the top four sides after leaders Croatia lost 1-0 in Iceland, with Hordur Magnusson scoring a lastminute winner for the Euro 2016 quarter-finalists.
Also in contention are Turkey, who won 4-1 against Kosovo, and Ukraine, who were 2-1 winners in Finland.
Mexico snatch draw against US Mexico City: Michael Bradley scored a spectacular long-range goal as the United States battled to a 1-1 draw with rivals Mexico in their 2018 World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
Mexico’s former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela cancelled out Bradley’s sixthminute chip to give the hosts a point which saw them extend their lead at the top of the Concacaf standings to six points.
The USA, who made seven changes from the team which beat Trinidad & Tobago in Colorado last Thursday, are level with second-place Costa Rica on eight points but trail on goal difference.
The top three teams in the six-team round robin competition qualify automatically for next year’s finals in Russia.