Zagreb was the site of the historic first match between eternal rivals and former enemies-at-war. The home side Croatia welcomed Serbia into their abode knowing a win would all but eliminate their opponents and would allow them to maintain pressure on Belgium. This was the very stadium in which the Croatian War for Independence from Serbia had begun in 1990, and the terrible history between the two nations was palpable in the stands as the Croats made their displeasure with Serbia known.
Croatia's game plan was to attack through the middle of the pitch and only to look for width with Darijo Srna coming upfield from his right back position. Debutant Mateo Kovacic ran the offense as the only one of Croatia's four midfielders playing in a defensive stance. Srna's runs would attack Serbia's weakness, left back Aleksandar Kolarov, and indeed it was a mistake from Kolarov that led to the first goal. His quick free kick was hit immediately to Mario Mandzukic, who then started a breakawy. Ivica Olic eventually received teh ball and laid it off for Mandzukic, who gave Croatia a 1-0 lead. A quarter hour later, Srna hit a free kick into the six-yard box that was somehow allowed to bounce by Serbia goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic. Olic knocked home off the bounce for a 2-0 lead that would hold through the half.
Right after the half began, Kolarov tried to make up for his mistakes, but his low shot was saved by Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. Dusan Tadic came on for Serbia and nearly made a side of the boot assist to Filip Duricic, but Pletikosa again made the save, the first of a double save that had to be made after a short rebound was relinquished. The final ten minutes were pretty uneventful, which was great news for Croatia. They win 2-0 over their archrivals and go top of Group A.
Skopje was the site of Macedonia's home leg in the first of two matches against Belgium in five days' time. In the first minute, Macedonia nearly had the lead. Goran Pandev drove up the left side of the pitch in order to cross to Adis Jahovic at the back post. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made himself big and had the ball hit his body in order to prevent the opener. Two minutes later, a Pandev free kick gave Ivan Trickovski a free header from just inside the penalty spot, but he nodded wide. Belgium finally woke up, and it was Kevin de Bruyne who provided the opener. He beat Aleksandar Lazevski to a lofted through ball and then, having muscled away his only marker, de Bruyne clinically finished at the near post with the goalkeeper poorly positioned. Belgium led 1-0 at the break.
At the hour mark, Maroune Fellaini made a pass to the penalty spot to Eden Hazard, who was crushed by Lazevski, resulting in a penalty kick for Belgium. The kick was converted, and Belgium were in total control at 2-0. Belgium came closest to a third through a de Bruyne effort smacked wide, but the result was never in doubt. Belgium win 2-0 to keep pace with Croatia.
Glasgow served as the snowy site for Scotland's home match against Wales. Before the qualification cycle began, Wales were considered the underdogs, but they have proved more resilient than have Scotland. Scotland were dealt a blow as Darren Fletcher had to be substituted within five minutes after picking up a lower leg injury. Somehow, Scotland maintained enough composure to play on without their big-name star. A Charlie Mulgrew inswinging corner kick in stoppage time found Grant Hanley, who cut inside of his defender to find an opening for a header, which he drilled. Scotland led 1-0 at the break.
Scotland held firm in the second half until Robert Snodgrass commited a foul at the edge his own penalty area that resulted in a yellow card, his second of the match. Snodgrass was dismissed in minute 71 for his rash challenge on Christopher Gunter, and Wales tied the score at 1-1 on the ensuing penalty kick. One minute later, Andrew King sent in a cross that was met by the powerful leap of Hal Robson-Kanu for his first international goal. The Welsh had their second goal and their first lead. In the last action of the match, the Welsh playmaker Aaron Ramsey was given a straight red for stopping a goalscoring opportunity, meaning only twenty men were on the pitch for the final whistle. Wales hold on to win 2-1 and send Scotland to the cellar of Group A.
Belgium 13 pts +9
Croatia 13 pts +6
Wales 6 pts -7
Serbia 4 pts -1
Macedonia 4 pts -3
Scotland 2 pts -4
Goals
Croatia
Mario Mandzukic 23
Ivica Olic 37
Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne 26
Eden Hazard 62 PK
Wales
Aaron Ramsey 72 PK
Hal Robson-Kanu 74
Scotland
Grant Hanley 45+2
Match Reports:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/23/sports/soccer/croatias-win-over-serbia-ends-with-coaches-embrace.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.dw.de/croatia-beats-serbia-2-0-in-no-ordinary-game/a-16694684
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/24/croatia-2-0-serbia-brave-decision-to-use-kovacic-in-midfield-helps-croatia-dominate-the-game/
http://www.macedonianfootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5443:belgium-macedonia-10&catid=13:international&Itemid=64
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/22/scotland-wales-world-cup-match-report
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj7Ea2m30tw (Croatia v. Serbia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXLdXxqUECg (Belgium v. Macedonia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_zVxllW6xE (Wales v. Scotland)
