Serbia’s Kolarov strikes to leave Ireland’s World Cup chances in more doubt
Where there is a will, there is not always a way. Ireland performed with more gusto and enterprise than they mustered in their previous three matches, but the blustery pursuit of good intentions was not enough to avoid defeat against the group D leaders. Aleksandar Kolarov’s second-half goal gave Serbia a lead that their spirited but imprecise hosts could not claw back, even after the dismissal of Nikola Maksimovic in the 68th minute.