Former Manchester City full-back Aleksandar Kolarov struck the only goal of the game, condemning a Republic of Ireland side featuring Ciaran Clark to a first defeat in UEFA’s Group D.

The Orlovi will seal their place at a first major tournament since 2010 with victory against either Austria or Georgia next month, while the Republic will likely require a win against Wales in Cardiff to have any chance of a top-two berth.

In Group F, winger Matt Ritchie was an unused substitute as Scotland won 2-0 at home to Malta on Monday.

Gordon Strachan’s side host Slovakia in their penultimate qualifier, before travelling to Slovenia four days later. Victory in both should make sure of a play-off place.

In Africa, there were mixed fortunes for the Magpies’ two representatives yesterday.

Chancel Mbemba opened the scoring for the Democratic Republic of Congo against Tunisia in Kinshasa, but was forced to leave the pitch through injury on the hour-mark, with the Leopards 2-0 up.

Needing a win to leapfrog the Carthage Eagles at the top of the group, the home side collapsed late on, shipping two goals in as many minutes to slip three points off the pace.

Just as Mbemba’s hopes of travelling to Russia hang in the balance, so too do those of Christian Atsu.

The wide-man helped Ghana to a thumping 5-1 win against Congo, but the Black Stars will likely require two more victories to have any chance of making it to a fourth successive World Cup.

They travel to second-placed Uganda next time out, but a win for Egypt at home to the struggling Congolese will end the West Africans’ hopes of qualification.

At Under-21 level, Freddie Woodman was handed a first start for England as the Three Lions cruised past Latvia at Dean Court on Tuesday.

It was a good night for Mikel Merino, too, who helped Spain to a 1-0 win over Estonia in Tallinn.

South Africa’s Under-20s, meanwhile, saw off a young England side on Monday, though Tyrique Bartlett did not get off the bench at Harrison Park, the home of Leek Town.