Scotland 2 - Macedonia 1; Serbia 3 - Wales 0

On this night, no teams playing in Group A were in contention to qualify for Brasil 2014.  Macedonia were at home against Scotland in Skopje.  Macedonia were the better side in the first half, but neither team could breach the other's goalmouth in a scoreless first period.

Barry Bannan volleyed a pass forward from a Scotland goal kick on the hour mark to Ikechi Anya.  Anya did not have his angle cut down by the goalkeeper in spite of Anya's position wide of the post, so Anya had plenty of time to shoot and score his first international goal to the far post.  Mirko Ivanoski almost equalized for the hosts, but his rapid shot was pushed over the crossbar on the dive by Scotland netminder David Marshall.  Adis Jahovic was the next to have his fine strike saved by Marshall.  Goran Pandev performed his captain's duties well to pull Macedonia level.  His fine chipped pass was brought down by Jovan Kostovski, whose double-touch trickled around Marshall and into the goal.  Shaun Maloney gave Scotland the full three points with a curled free kick from the half circle two minutes from time.  Scotland win 2-1 and move off the bottom of the table.

Wales were at home to take on Serbia in Cardiff.  The visitors took the lead when Filip Djordjevic was able to leap and scored off a header from a high rebound surrended by Wales goalkeeper Glyn Myhill.  Alexander Kolarov doubled the lead through an absolutely wicked strike from twenty-six yards out that nearly ripped the net apart.  Why no pressure was applied to Kolarov is a mystery.  Serbia were deservedly ahead 2-0 at the break.

A heavy barrage ten minutes into the second half resulted in a third goal for the Serbs.  Dusan Tadic did a double feint before passing out wide.  The ball came back to Tadic, but his effort was well saved by Myhill.  However, Lazar Markovic smacked the rebound in to complete the scoring on this night.  Wales were somewhat useful once Gareth Bale was substituted into the match, but by then it was already decided.  Serbia win 3-0.

Belgium 22 pts +13
Croatia 17 pts +6
Serbia OUT
Scotland OUT
Macedonia OUT
Wales OUT

Goals
Scotland
Ikechi Anya 60
Shaun Maloney 89

Macedonia
Jovan Kostovski 84

Serbia
Filip Djordjevic 8
Aleksandar Kolarov 38
Lazar Markovic 55

Match Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24007618
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/10/scotland-macedonia-world-cup-qualifier
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/macedonia-1-2-scotland-shaun-maloney-2265156
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/scotland/10300246/Macedonia-1-Scotland-2-match-report.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24011041
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/wales-0---3-serbia-5906582
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/10/wales-serbia-world-cup-qualifier

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpwqOX-PioQ (Scotland v. Macedonia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh34trcStZg (Serbia v. Wales)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnhafEjexZc (Serbia v. Wales)