Andorra

BOURNEMOUTH goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was lobbed from near the HALFWAY LINE in Serbia’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

The former Chelsea star was caught cold by Andorra forward Guillaume Lopez from inside the CCentre D.

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Serbia midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic’s wayward loose pass was eagerly intercepted by Lopez from 35 yards inside 17 minutes.

Lopez then had the presence of mind to drill a shot over helpless Premier League stopper Petrovic, who was way out of his six-yard box.

Petrovic, 26, flippantly dived backwards, but was unable to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.

But Serbia hit back instantly through Christian Garcia’s own-goal, before Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic gave them the lead in the 54th minute.

Both teams are in England‘s Group K, with Serbia sitting third outside the play-off spots and Andorra rock bottom.

Since leaving Stamford Bridge for the Vitality Stadium in July, Petrovic has started all seven games for Andoni Iraola‘s side.

Petrovic was left out of Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad in June before securing his £25m exit to the south-west.

He replaced fellow former Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga who joined Arsenal in a £5m deal this summer.

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He earned national hero status after saving a penalty in the World Cup qualifier against Albania – a match charged with a lot of tension, because of politics and history.

The Serb, who joined Chelsea from New England Revolution in a £14m deal in 2023, spent last season on loan at French club Strasbourg.

He was named player of the season as Strasbourg secured a Europa Conference League spot by finishing seventh in Ligue 1.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has been left out of the England squad that will face Andorra in Saturday’s (17:00 BST) World Cup qualifier.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins have also been left out of the matchday squad, with Watkins returning home with a minor injury,

Speaking on Friday, head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed Saka had only completed one full training session during the week, with his omission from the squad to face Andorra likely to be linked to his fitness.

Saka, 23, is yet to play under Tuchel after missing the German’s first camp through injury.

It remains to be seen whether Saka will play a part in the friendly against Senegal on 10 June, to add to his 43 caps for the Three Lions.

The winger missed three months of action between December and April with a hamstring injury, though he returned for the final two months of the campaign.

It was confirmed on Friday that Watkins would be leaving the group to return to England as a precaution because of a minor injury.

It is unclear at this stage whether Gallagher’s omission is down to a fitness issue.

England are unbeaten in World Cup qualifying, winning both of their opening two matches against Latvia and Albania.