RIGA, Latvia – Serbia secured a crucial 1-0 away victory over Latvia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday, ending an eight-match winless run on the road and keeping pace with group leaders England in the process.
The decisive moment arrived in the first half when Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović finished a precise one-two with Aleksandar Katai on the edge of the box, curling a low shot into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Krišjānis Zviedris.
Serbia thought they had doubled their lead before halftime through a spectacular Luka Jović volley, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Latvia grew into the match after the break and applied sustained pressure in the final 20 minutes, with Renārs Varslavāns forcing a sharp near-post save from Đorđe Petrović.
The visitors held firm defensively and might have sealed the result on the counter-attack, but Vlahović was denied by Zviedris in a one-on-one opportunity late in the match.
The victory moves Serbia to within two points of Group K leaders England, whom they face next in a pivotal qualifier. For Latvia, the defeat leaves their qualification hopes severely diminished, as they now sit three points behind Serbia having played one additional match.
