Aleksandar Mitrovic redeemed himself to his nation last night as he came off the bench to bag a dramatic 90th-minute winner that sent Serbia to the World Cup finals in Qatar.
The former Toon striker – who has scored 20 goals in 17 games for Fulham this season – buried a trademark header that saw the Serbs overtake Portugal in the group and qualify for next year’s tournament.
In scenes reminiscent of St James’ Park after his late equaliser against Sunderland in 2016, a topless Mitro went wild with Serbian players as those in the dugout joined in with the celebrations.
The moment was even sweeter for the 27-year-old as he infamously missed the pivotal penalty that saw his country fail to qualify for Euro 2020 and sent Scotland there instead.
Watch the late drama below:
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears at the full-time whistle, with defeat on home soil meaning his side must attempt to book their flights to Qatar via the play-off route next year.
After the game, Mitrovic could be seen in his boxer shorts, draped in a Serbian flag and celebrating the victory by singing the old Toon chant “Mitro’s on fire”.
Martin Dubravka also returned to action last night, playing for the first time this season after making a full recovery from a foot injury.
Our number one goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in his World Cup qualifier as Slovakia thrashed a nine-man Malta side 6-0 – a win that moves them up to third in Group H.
