Scotland 1 - Croatia 0; Belgium 2 - Serbia 1

Zagreb was the site of the clash between hosts and joint group leaders Croatia against already-eliminated Scotland.  With twenty minutes left in the first half, a Shaun Maloney darting run through four defenders led to a crazy deflection off a tackle, leading to a simple toe-poke finish for Robert Snodgrass.  Scotland had their opener. In stoppage time, centerback Russell Martin made a vital clearance on a ball played across the face of the Scottish goal to prevent an equalizer.  Scotland led 1-0 at the conclusion of the half.

Croatia were dominant in terms of possession throughout the match, but the pressure and frustration began to mount as the equalizer refused to appear.  Five minutes after the restart, a cross from Sammir to the far post needed just a touch from Mario Mandzukic, but his outstretched boot could not finish the job from point blank.  Scotland could barely exit their own half, but they held firm in defense for a 1-0 road victory, their first victory of the campaign.

Belgium welcomed Serbia into Brussels for a tussle.  They would be exactly what this match provided.  Brussels, the young team with lofty expectations, grabbed the opener before a quarter hour had passed.  Jan Vertonghen was given too much space on the left wing, so he picked out a running Kevin De Bruyne at the back post for a sliding finish and a 1-0 lead to the home side.  With ten minutes left in the period, Serbia had a chance with the goalkeeper beaten, but the groin of Toby Alderweireld was able to absorb the shot from Lazar Markovic and prevent the ball from crossing the goal line.  The half ended 1-0.

Ten minutes into the second half, a dipping shot from distance by Dusan Basta forced an awkward parry from Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but a diving save is a fine save.  On a corner kick on the hour mark, De Bruyne swept in an in-swinger to Marouane Fellaini, who nodded home from three yards, though it appeared his hug-from-behind on his defender made the job easier.  Belgium had a two-goal lead to protect for thirty minutes.  Serbia did apply loads of pressure, but Courtois was up to the challenge as he denied a header from Markovic that dipped down to his feet.  With under five minutes to go, a free kick from just to the right of the half circle was sent in by Aleksandar Kolarov, giving Belgian fans a bit more drama than they would have liked at the end of the match.  Belgium held on to their slim lead and win 2-1 to take first place in Group A.

Belgium 19 pts +11
Croatia 16 pts +6
Serbia 7 pts 0
Wales 6 pts -8
Scotland OUT
Macedonia 4 pts -4

Goals
Scotland
Robert Snodgrass 26

Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne 13
Marouane Fellaini 60

Serbia
Aleksandar Kolarov 87

Match Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22787925
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/07/croatia-scotland-world-cup-qualifier
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253604/report
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/belgium-take-control-of-world-cup-qualifying-group-with-win-over-serbia/article12426711/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rDYHAt0F_8 (Scotland v. Croatia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxBgoQHEnn4 (Belgium v. Serbia)


Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPnJgbJRYcU (Scotland v. Croatia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PLBf-oXlwk (Belgium v. Serbia)