Djuričić double helps Serbia beat Scotland

Serbia bounced back from their costly defeat in Croatia last Friday to inflict more misery on FIFA World Cup qualifying Group A's bottom side Scotland.

Both teams had seen their hopes fade on Friday, Serbia losing in Croatia and Scotland being beaten by Wales. But Serbia secured their second group win thanks to two Filip Djuričić goals in a five-minute period after the hour and are up to third, though points off Croatia and Belgium. Scotland stay bottom with two points from six matches.

The game had been in doubt this morning but with the snow cleared from the pitch – aided by Scotland fans in kilts – a postponement was avoided and Serbia had the better of the first half. However, clear chances were few and far between, though Zoran Tošić shot just wide.

Scotland started the second half well, with Jordan Rhodes threatening, but succumbed to a quick counterattack on the hour. When Tošić's cross from the left came to Ljubomir Fejsa, Alan Hutton put in a block tackle only for Djuričić to pick up the ball, turn and shoot to David Marshall's left.

Five minutes later it was 2-0, Nenad Tomović stealing the ball in the box and Djuričić providing the finish again. That completed the scoring, and Serbia hope to continue their winning form in Belgium on 7 June, when Scotland pursue that elusive victory in Croatia.