ZURICH: Daryl Murphy’s first-half double set up an intriguing World Cup trip to Wales on Monday as the Republic of Ireland eased past Moldova 2-0 in the latest round of the World Cup’s European qualifiers.

The Nottingham Forest striker marked his 30th senior cap with his second and third goals for his country on a night when victory was the only option if Ireland were to keep their hopes of emerging from Group D alive.

They now head to Cardiff on Monday having to beat Chris Coleman’s Euro 2016 semi-finalists, who are ranked 21 places above them by FIFA, to stand a chance of progressing from a wide-open group. A draw will be enough for Wales to go into the play-offs.

Earlier on the night, Tom Lawrence answered Wales‘ call for a hero to boost their hopes in a 1-0 win against Georgia in Tbilisi.

Wales were without their injured talisman Gareth Bale, but Lawrence ensured the Real Madrid star’s absence was not felt as he struck a 25-yard winner four minutes into the second half.

Serbia missed the chance to secure their place in Russia next summer after they were beaten 3-2 in Austria.

Milivojevic put the Group D leaders in front but Austria, who are unable to qualify, turned the game on its head with goals from Guido Burgstaller and Marko Arnautovic.

Nemanja Matic equalised with seven minutes remaining but Louis Schaub struck in the 89th minute to win it for the hosts.

Serbia should still top the group and secure automatic qualification as they host Georgia in their final game.

Iceland are on the brink of reaching their first ever World Cup after recording a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Group I rivals Turkey in Istanbul.

The defeat ended Turkey’s hopes of qualifying but Iceland moved two points clear at the top of the table heading into the final round of matches after Croatia could only draw at home to Finland.

A stoppage-time equaliser from Pyry Soiri left qualification out of the hands of Croatia, who led through Mario Mandzukic’s 57th-minute tap-in.  Croatia face a tough last game away to Ukraine, who can still qualify themselves after a Leart Paqarada own goal and a Andriy Yarmolenko effort saw them win 2-0 in Kosovo to join the Croats on 17 points.

Spain have qualified after winning 3-0 at home to Albania, as Italy could only draw with Macedonia.

The 2010 world champions scored all their goals in the first 26 minutes, with Rodrigo, Isco and Thiago Alcantara finding the back of the net.

Their position at the top of Group G was guaranteed after Italy were held to a surprise 1-1 draw at home. Giorgio Chiellini poked Italy in front just before half-time but Aleksandar Trajkovski, who plays his football in Serie B with Palermo, raced clear to equalise after 77 minutes.

The point was enough for Italy to make sure they finished second in the group and they will go into the play-offs.

The other match in that group saw Israel win 1-0 in Liechtenstein thanks to a first-half goal from Eitan Tibi.

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Daryl Murphy’s first-half double set up an intriguing World Cup qualification trip to Wales as the Republic of Ireland eased past Moldova 2-0.  The Nottingham Forest striker marked his 30th senior cap with his second and third goals for his country on a night when victory was the only option if Ireland were to keep their hopes of emerging from Group D alive.  They now head to Cardiff on Monday having to beat Chris Coleman’s Euro 2016 semi-finalists, who are ranked 21 places above them by FIFA, to stand a chance of progressing from a wide-open group. A draw will be enough for Wales to go into the play-offs.  Earlier on the night, Tom Lawrence answered Wales’ call for a hero to boost their hopes in a 1-0 win against Georgia in Tbilisi.  Wales were without their injured talisman Gareth Bale, but Lawrence ensured the Real Madrid star’s absence was not felt as he struck a 25-yard winner four minutes into the second half.  Serbia missed the chance to secure their place in Russia next summer after they were beaten 3-2 in Austria.  Milivojevic put the Group D leaders in front but Austria, who are unable to qualify, turned the game on its head with goals from Guido Burgstaller and Marko Arnautovic. Nemanja Matic equalised with seven minutes remaining but Louis Schaub struck in the 89th minute to win it for the hosts.  Serbia should still top the group and secure automatic qualification as they host Georgia in their final game.     Follow Sporting Life ✔@SportingLife Wales win without Bale…and how!   7:28 PM – Oct 6, 2017  Replies   3 3 Retweets   4 4 likes Twitter Ads info and privacy Iceland are on the brink of reaching their first ever World Cup after recording a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Group I rivals Turkey in Istanbul.  The defeat ended Turkey’s hopes of qualifying but Iceland moved two points clear at the top of the table heading into the final round of matches after Croatia could only draw at home to Finland.  A stoppage-time equaliser from Pyry Soiri left qualification out of the hands of Croatia, who led through Mario Mandzukic’s 57th-minute tap-in.  Croatia face a tough last game away to Ukraine, who can still qualify themselves after a Leart Paqarada own goal and a Andriy Yarmolenko effort saw them win 2-0 in Kosovo to join the Croats on 17 points.  Spain have qualified after winning 3-0 at home to Albania, as Italy could only draw with Macedonia. The 2010 world champions scored all their goals in the first 26 minutes, with Rodrigo, Isco and Thiago Alcantara finding the back of the net.  Their position at the top of Group G was guaranteed after Italy were held to a surprise 1-1 draw at home. Giorgio Chiellini poked Italy in front just before half-time but Aleksandar Trajkovski, who plays his football in Serie B with Palermo, raced clear to equalise after 77 minutes.  The point was enough for Italy to make sure they finished second in the group and they will go into the play-offs.  The other match in that group saw Israel win 1-0 in Liechtenstein thanks to a first-half goal from Eitan Tibi.