BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Dragan Stojković has resigned as Serbia coach following the 1-0 home defeat to Albania in World Cup qualifying on Saturday.
The Serbian soccer federation said in a statement Sunday that he offered his resignation after the loss in Leskovac. Serbia's Under-21 coach Zoran Mirković will take interim charge for Tuesday's Group K match away to Andorra ahead of a meeting on Friday regarding further changes in the national team set-up.
The Serbian FA thanked Stojković “for everything he has done in the past four and a half years at the helm of the national team, primarily in qualifying for the World (Cup) and European Championship.”
The 60-year-old Stojković was a technically gifted midfielder with an eye for goal, starring for Red Star Belgrade and winning the Champions League with Marseille in 1993 before joining Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan.
Albania’s win moved it past Serbia into second spot and four points behind England in Group K. Striker Rey Manaj scored on the stroke of halftime and made a nationalist symbol with his hands as he celebrated. __
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Serbia's head coach Dragan Stojkovic reacts during the World Cup Group K qualifying soccer match between Serbia and Albania, at the Dubocica Stadium in Leskovac, Serbia, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbia's head coach Dragan Stojkovic gestures during the World Cup Group K qualifying soccer match between Serbia and Albania, at the Dubocica Stadium in Leskovac, Serbia, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Serbia's head coach Dragan Stojkovic reacts during the World Cup Group K qualifying soccer match between Serbia and Albania, at the Dubocica Stadium in Leskovac, Serbia, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams' last throw in regulation was a backpedaling, fourth-down rainbow that landed in Cole Kmet's hands in the corner of the end zone for a breathtaking touchdown.
His last throw of the game was the beginning of the end for Chicago's surprising season.
Williams almost rallied the Bears to another memorable win on Sunday night. But he threw his third interception in overtime and Matthew Stafford drove the Los Angeles Rams to Harrison Mevis' winning field goal in a 20-17 victory in the divisional round of the playoffs.
“It's tough. In these moments, you feel that you let your team down,” Williams said. “You feel this or that. It’s a good lesson learned for us, first time being in this situation for me and for us as a team. I’m excited for what’s to come. But obviously going to go back and watch this and figure out how I can be better, and that’s the exciting part.”
The 24-year-old Williams led Chicago to an NFL-record seven wins this season when trailing in last 2 minutes of regulation. He threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore with 1:43 left in a 31-27 victory over Green Bay in the first round of the playoffs.
This time, the Bears (12-7) were losing 17-10 when they got the ball back with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter. And, just like before, Williams delivered.
Facing a fourth-and-4 at the Rams 14 with 27 seconds left, Williams took a shotgun snap and surveyed the field. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft was forced to backpedal as the pocket collapsed, and he scampered all the way back to the 40 with Jared Verse, Josaiah Stewart and Braden Fiske all in pursuit for the Rams.
Williams turned, saw Kmet in the end zone and threw the ball in his direction just as Verse and Stewart got to the second-year QB.
“I ended up getting a little bit of pressure, so try and break contain and just break angles and slow those guys down so that when I do turn around, I can have a little bit more time possibly to find somebody,” Williams said, “and they did a good job containing me, so I just gained a little bit more depth, and I saw Cole one-on-one over there.”
Kmet wrestled with Rams cornerback Cobie Turner before hauling in the pass, sending a charge through the crowd of 60,253 on a frigid night at Soldier Field.
“It felt like a pretty easy pitch-and-catch and kind of felt like it was in slow motion,” Kmet said. “I can’t believe Caleb.”
Bears coach Ben Johnson called the throw “ridiculous.”
“There’s some things that you just can’t coach. ... He’s got a knack, he’s clutch,” Johnson said.
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams' pass traveled 51.2 yards in the air for the longest completed pass by air distance in the red zone since at least 2016. He made the throw from 26.5 yards behind the line of scrimmage; no quarterback since 2016, according to Next Gen Stats, had completed a pass from a depth of more than 22 yards.
It had a completion probability of 17.8%.
“It was the most special throw that I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen him do that so many times this year,” Bears safety Kevin Byard said.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams talks to reporters following his team's overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a pass as Los Angeles Rams defensive end Kobie Turner (91) applies pressure during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams gestures as he leaves the field following his team's overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet, not visible, as Los Angeles Rams linebacker Josaiah Stewart (10) and linebacker Jared Verse (8) apply pressure during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
