Wins for Mexico, Turkey and Croatia – Austria miss out

Austria's game against Ireland ended in great disappointment for the Werkself trio of Julian Baumgartlinger, Aleksandar Dragovic and Ramazan Özcan. A win for Austria would have put them level on points with the Irish but a painful 1-0 defeat could mean they are cut adrift in the World Cup qualifiers with only four games played. McClean scored the only goal of the game for the group leaders Ireland just after the break. Austria, already four points behind second spot, play Slovakia in a friendly on Tuesday. The three Bayer 04 pros played the full 90 minutes.

Turkey and Croatia were more successful. Turkey, with Hakan Calhanoglu playing the whole game, secured a regulation 2-0 win against underdogs Kosovo. After a goalless first half, the team coached by Fatih Terim netted two goals in quick succession with Burak (51') and Sen (55') getting on the scoresheet. That victory puts them back in touch with Iceland and Ukraine.

Croatia are top of Group I with ten points after a 2-0 win behind closed doors against the surprise team from Euro 2016 Iceland. It was the first defeat for Iceland in the current qualifying rounds. Brozovic scored both goals for Croatia (15',90') and Perisic was sent off. Tin Jedvaj did not play but he can hope to get a start in Tuesday’s friendly against Northern Ireland.

Chicha in last-minute winner

Mexico had every reason to celebrate. The team, with Bayer 04 striker Chicharito up front, ended a run of four defeats against the USA. This time Mexico won the important first and emotionally laden World Cup qualifier against the great rivals from the north 2-1. Jürgen Klinsmann, USA coach, saw the winner scored by the 37-year-old captain Rafael Marquez with a header on 89 minutes. Miguel Layun opened the scoring for Mexico on 20 minutes before the Hamburg SV player Bobby Wood levelled on 49 minutes. Mexico's next match is in Panama in the early hours of Wednesday.