The expected tensions between Croatia and Serbia took a back seat to the play of the hosts, as Croatia dominated throughout the match. With such hapless play, Serbia's dreams of qualifying for Brazil may well have ended.
A last-gasp equaliser from Fábio Coentrão has saved Portugal from an embarrassing defeat in Israel, though qualification is still far from certain.
With Ireland only a point behind Sweden in their World Cup qualification group, Giovanni Trapattoni's side will look to put the brakes on the free-scoring Swedes on Friday.
Is this a World Cup qualifier, or a chance to dig up what many hoped were long-buried hostilities? Croatia vs Serbia might be a football match, but its surrounding narrative encompasses much more.
The Euro 2012-hosting neighbours meet in Warsaw on Friday night, and with their eastern European rivals Montenegro flying high, both teams need a victory.
Germany hope to wash away the bad taste left after their collapse against Sweden in their last qualifier with a win over Kazakhstan.
The Dutch are well on their way to qualifying for the next World Cup and should take another step in the right direction against lowly Estonia.
Northern Ireland will hope they can upset the odds against Russia, but the hosts are huge underdogs in what is a severe mismatch.
Scotland and Wales have virtually no chance of qualifying for the World Cup, but the game could spell the end of Chris Coleman's tenure.
