Southampton internationals return mixed bag of World Cup qualifying results

Dusan Tadic was the lone Saints man to get a win in World Cup qualifying on Saturday, as Serbia picked up a 3-0 win over Moldova.

Shane Long, meanwhile, missed a golden opportunity to lift the Republic of Ireland to victory when his free header 22 minutes from full-time soared over the bar in a 1-1 draw with mathematically eliminated Georgia.

Ireland remains unbeaten through seven games and just two points adrift of Group D leaders Serbia ahead of their showdown on Tuesday in Dublin.

Wales and former Saints star Gareth Bale took advantage of Ireland’s draw and closed the gap to two points following their 1-0 victory Austria.

Southampton newcomer Mario Lemina played all 90 minutes of Gabon’s 3-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast in World Cup qualification. Gabon are winless in Group C on two points.

Real Madrid’s Isco struck twice in Spain’s 3-0 win over Italy in a clash of titans, as Manolo Gabbiadini came off the bench for the final 12 minutes with the result already decided.

Wesley Hoedt, who played the duration of the Netherlands’ heavy defeat to France, and Cedric Soares could each feature as their respective countries return to World Cup qualification on Sunday.