A second-half strike from the Serbian front-runner sank hosts Northern Ireland, who lacked finishing power to go with some enterprising attacking.
FIFA.com looks at the rise of a team whose long-established reputation for punching above its weight is being fully justified by its class of 2009.
Northern Ireland stay top of Group 3 after defeating Slovenia, 1-0 thanks to Warren Feeney's 73rd minute goal following a scrappy encounter in Belfast.
Celtic reached the Scottish League Cup final by the narrowest of margins after overcoming Dundee United in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
