A. Mitrović (46) F. Kostić (60) Diogo Jota (11) Diogo Jota (36)
That’s all from us today folks, we hope you enjoyed the game!
A thrilling game finally comes to a conclusion and Serbia and Portugal share the points. Serbia will face Azerbaijan next time out in Group A, meanwhile Portugal travel to Luxembourg.
Serbia turn the game around to earn a 2-2 draw with Portugal, despite being 2-0 down at the break, after a first half brace from Jota. Serbia pulled one back straight from the restart, through Aleksandar Mitrovic, before Kostic equalised on 60 minutes. There was plenty of action late on, as Milenkovic was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Danilo. Portugal then thought they’d won it in stoppage time, but Ronaldo saw his shot cleared off the line and despite huge appeals from the Portugal skipper, the officials made the decision that the ball didn’t cross the whole of the goal line.
90′ + 5′FULL-TIME: SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
90′ + 5′Ronaldo has stormed off the pitch in anger at the decision not to award Portugal a goal in stoppage time.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Yellow Card
90′ + 4′Ronaldo is booked for his protests to the officials, he is furious with the decision not to award his side a goal late on.
90′ + 3′OFF THE LINE! Portugal think they’ve won it in stoppage time, after Ronaldo races in behind and gets to the ball ahead of Dmitrovic. The striker then slides it towards goal and it appears to cross the goal line, however Stefan Mitrovic gets back and clears it off the line.The rebound then falls to Bernardo Silva, but it’s blocked again! Ronaldo is furiously appealing for a goal, but nothing is given.
N. Milenković
Red Card
90′ + 2′RED CARD! Milenkovic is shown a straight red card after his high lunge on Danilo and the defender catches the Portugal midfielder high on the ankle with his studs up. It looked like an honest attempt to win the ball, but it was dangerous and late so the referee immediately sent him off.
João Palhinha
Bruno Fernandes
90′ + 1′Fernandes is replaced late on, with Palhinha coming on.
90′There will be a minimum of three minutes added time played at the end of the second half.
L. Jović
A. Mitrović
88′Late change by Serbia, with Aleksandar Mitrovic coming off and he has been replaced by Jovic.
87′There’s just a few minutes remaining now and the pace has dropped significantly, with neither side wanting to concede late on. They may be happy with a point each.
A. Mitrović
Yellow Card
85′Aleksandar Mitrovic is booked for his challenge on Fernandes around the halfway line.
João Félix
Diogo Jota
85′Portugal have made a late change, with Joao Felix the man coming on and he has replaced Jota.
83′As it stands, these two sides will be level on points at the top of Group A, with a win and draw each, so they have everything to play for.
F. Đuričić
D. Tadić
82′Another Serbia substitution now, with Tadic the man coming off and he has been replaced by Duricic.
80′Serbia have dominated the attempts on goal statistics, they have looked far more dangerous in the second half than Portugal and should perhaps be ahead.
78′This is better from Portugal, they are seeing more of the ball, rather than having to sit deep and soak up all of the pressure.
76′Wild effort! Ronaldo cuts inside from the left wing and fires an effort at goal from the edge of the box. However, it flies way off target and doesn’t trouble Dmitrovic.
74′Offside! How did he miss? Fernandes delivers a superb cross into the penalty area for Ronaldo, who sneaks in behind, but he gets his feet mixed up and somehow can’t make contact on the ball from just a few yards out. Luckily for the Portugal skipper the offside flag spares his blushes.
Renato Sanches
Sérgio Oliveira
73′The other change by the visitors sees Oliveira replaced by Renato Sanches.
Nuno Mendes
João Cancelo
72′Double change now by Portugal, with Cancelo the first to come off and he has been replaced by Mendes.
M. Ristić
F. Kostić
72′Serbia make their third substitution of the game, with Kostic departing and he has been replaced by Ristic.
70′There’s only 20 minutes, plus any stoppage time left to play here, can either side push on and score a third goal?
69′Still no sign of any changes by Portugal, despite the scoreline and they may need to start making some if they are to go on and win this game, or even hang on for a point.
67′The other game being played in Group A today is between Luxembourg and the Republic of Ireland, which is currently goalless.
65′Ronaldo hasn’t had the best of games for Portugal, he did well at the start of the first half, but hasn’t been able to influence proceedings since, with Jota the key man for the visitors.
63′BLOCKED! Tadic feeds Aleksandar Mitrovic, who can’t find space for a shot and gets crowded out, but Portugal can’t clear the danger and Maksimovic picks it up and drills a low shot towards goal. However, Dias gets across brilliantly and makes the block.
62′Portugal look really shocked now, they are up against it with Serbia dominating and the hosts look eager to get a third goal and fire themselves ahead.
N. Radonjić
Assist
60′At first it looked like Radonjic might go for goal himself, but the Portugal defence managed to crowd him out, so he cut inside and played it through for Kostic who sprinted forward and coolly finished.
F. Kostić
Goal
60′GOAL! Serbia have turned it around, they are level and it’s 2-2! They mount a superb counter-attack after Portugal had been on the attack at the other end. Tadic feeds Radonjic in behind, who just gets crowded out, so he cuts inside and then lays it through to Kostic, who only has Lopes to beat and he places it into the back of the net. What a game!
58′Into the wall! Ronaldo steps up to take a free-kick, but he can’t get it over the wall and Maksimovic does brilliantly to deflect it over and out for a corner, which also comes to nothing.
Nemanja Maksimović
Yellow Card
56′Maksimovic is the first Serbia player to be shown a yellow card after his foul on Jota around 30 yards out.
55′CLOSE! Milinkovic-Savic almost levels the scoreline! The midfielder gets up at a corner and meets the ball first, glancing his header towards the bottom left corner of the net. However, it flies just inches wide of the post.
54′SAVE! Superb stop by Lopes to deny Tadic! Portugal fail to properly clear a cross into the box and it falls to Tadic on the edge of the penalty area, who takes it on the volley and it looks to be heading into the back of the net. However, Lopes gets up and tips it over the crossbar.
José Fonte
Yellow Card
54′Another Portugal booking, this time it is shown to Fonte after his late lunge on Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Bruno Fernandes
Yellow Card
52′The first yellow card of the game is shown to Fernandes after he pulls back Milenkovic as the defender looks to break up the pitch. This booking means that the midfielder will miss Portugal’s next game due to suspension.
50′It is all Serbia now in these opening minutes of the second half, can they push on and get an equaliser?
48′The Portugal players appealed for offside following the goal, feeling that Radonjic was offside as he raced behind the Portugal defence. However, nothing was given and the goal stands.
N. Radonjić
Assist
46′Radonjic has only just come on the break and he is instantly involved in the action, doing brilliantly down the right wing and delivering a good cross for Aleksandar Mitrovic to convert.
A. Mitrović
Goal
46′GOAL! What a start by Serbia! They’ve pulled one back and made it 2-1! They break quickly from the restart, racing up the pitch and Radonjic whips a cross into the box from the byline, which is met by Aleksandar Mitrovic, despite heavy pressure from Danilo and he pokes the ball past Lopes and into the back of the net.
46′The second half is under way!
N. Radonjić
D. Vlahović
46′The other change sees Vlahovic replaced by Radonjic.
Nemanja Maksimović
D. Lazović
46′Serbia have made a double substitution ahead of the second half, with Lazovic one of those departing and he has been replaced by Maksimovic.
Serbia came from behind in midweek to win, but they face a very tough side here and unless they get an early goal, it looks like the visitors will take all three points.
A brace from Jota sees Portugal hold a two-goal advantage at the break, two headers by the Liverpool striker. The visitors have looked very comfortable and good value for the lead, with Serbia yet to test Lopes in the Portugal goal. Jota got his first after 11 minutes, following a Bernardo Silva delivery, before making it 2-0 on 36 minutes, after an excellent cross from Cedric.
45′ + 1′HALF-TIME: SERBIA 0-2 PORTUGAL
45′There will be a minimum of one minute added time played at the end of the first half.
44′Ronaldo steps up to take a free-kick around 25 yards out, but the Juventus man doesn’t get it on target and it flies well wide of the Serbia goal.
43′Free-kick to Portugal in a very good shooting position after Fernandes is deliberately blocked from breaking forward by Gudelj. Excellent opportunity for Ronaldo to go for goal.
40′There’s not long left to play before the end of the first half, can Portugal get a third before the half-time whistle? Jota is on for a hat-trick.
38′It will be very difficult for Serbia to get anything out of this game now, as Portugal look in cruise control and will be confident of wrapping up the three points.
Diogo Jota
Goal
36′GOAL! Jota gets his second and fires Portugal into a 2-0 lead! Another header for the Liverpool striker, after Portugal carve them open in the final third, with Bernardo Silva spraying the ball out to Cedric deep down the right wing and Jota gets in front of Milenkovic and glances his header towards the bottom left corner of the net, it clips the post and then goes into the back of the net.
35′Stoppage in play here as both Danilo and Mitrovic go down, after the Serbia striker catches the midfielder late around the halfway line. However, neither require any medical treatment and will be fine to continue.
33′We’re past the half an hour mark now and it remains Portugal who lead 1-0, thanks to Jota’s 11th minute header.
31′Over! Vlahovic gets on the end of a pull back from Kostic, who had raced down the left wing and the striker spins and powers an effort towards goal. However, he fires it high over the crossbar.
30′Blocked! Tadic whips a deep corner into the penalty area, which is met by Milenkovic at the far post and he heads it down towards Pavlovic, however, his shot is then well blocked and Portugal manage to clear the danger.
28′Serbia don’t look like getting back into the game any time soon, with Portugal looking very comfortable in all areas of the pitch and there still hasn’t been any attempts on goal.
26′Serbia counter quickly and catch Portugal out at the back, however, as a deep cross is whipped into the box, Vlahovic pushes Fonte in order to gain advantage and the referee blows for a free-kick.
25′There have been six previous meetings between these two sides, with Serbia unable to register any wins, as Portugal have won three and then the remaining three have resulted in draws.
23′Portugal win a corner after Jota’s cross into the penalty area is well blocked by Stefan Mitrovic, however, the set piece delivery isn’t great and Serbia clear the danger.
21′Danilo may have an issue here for Portugal, he was involved in a collision with Tadic a few minutes ago and has been feeling his shoulder ever since. The midfielder has controlled possession well for the visitors so far.
19′The pace of the game is quite slow, with Portugal keeping the ball well and playing at their own pace, without pushing forward and trying to test the hosts defence.
17′Lopes has barely touched the ball so far or seen any action in the Portugal goal, with Serbia yet to test him. However, Portugal are yet to have any other efforts on target, apart from their goal.
15′Serbia had to come from behind to beat the Republic of Ireland in midweek and they’ll have to do the same here. However, they need to get on the ball first, with Portugal looking very comfortable at the moment.
13′The last meeting between these two sides was in September 2019, when Portugal won 4-2 in Serbia in a EURO 2020 qualifier.
Bernardo Silva
Assist
11′Bernardo Silva spotted the run of Jota at the far post in the box and picked his teammate out perfectly with the cross, straight onto his head and the striker made no mistakes with the finish.
Diogo Jota
Goal
11′GOAL! Jota fires Portugal into the lead and makes it 1-0! The perfect start for the visitors. Ronaldo does well down the right wing and it looks like he is going to try and whip a cross into the box, so Serbia get a few defenders over to him. However, he opts to lay it back to Bernardo Silva, who delivers a superb cross into the far post and Jota heads home.
10′Portugal are settling nicely into the game now, they have managed to keep the ball well themselves over the last few minutes and are forcing Serbia to sit deep and soak up the pressure.
8′CHANCE! Ronaldo should fire Portugal into the lead! It’s a terrific run from Bernardo Silva, he races into the penalty area and despite a heavy touch, he manages to keep the ball and then pull it back from the byline to Ronaldo. The striker was unmarked and fired an effort towards goal, however, he smashes it high over the crossbar.
7′Blocked! Serbia work the ball well into the final third and it falls to Kostic on the left, who fires a shot towards goal, but his effort is well blocked by Cedric.
5′Good start here by Serbia, they are seeing more of the ball than the visitors and are making Portugal do much of the defending and soak up the early pressure.
3′Decent move! Oliveira picks up the ball in midfield and spots the run of Ronaldo in behind the Serbia defence, however, the keeper reads it well and manages to punch clear.
1′We’re under way!
The teams are out on the pitch and kick off is just a few minutes away, stay tuned for all the match action!
Portugal have also made a few changes, six in total, with Cedric, Fonte, Fernandes, Oliverira, Danilo and Jota all coming into the team and they have replaced Duarte, Mendes, Moutinho, Neves, Neto and Andre Silva.
Serbia have made five changes to their side, with Lazovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Gudelj, Kostic and Mitrovic all coming into the starting line-up, with Racic, Lukic, Mladenovic, Duricic and Gajic missing out.
PORTUGAL SUBS: Renato Sanches, Pedro Neto, Joao Palhinha, Luis Neto, Rui Silva, Rafa, Nuno Mendes, Domingos Duarte, Andre Silva, Ruben Neves, Jose Sa, Joao Felix.
PORTUGAL (3-5-2): Anthony Lopes; Cedric Soares, Jose Fonte, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo; Danilo Pereira, Bruno Fernandes, Sergio Oliveira; Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
SERBIA SUBS: Mihailo Ristic, Nemanja Maksimovic, Andrija Zivkovic, Uros Spajic, Nemenja Radonjic, Djordje Nikolic, Nenad Krsticic, Filip Djuricic, Marko Grujic, Predrag Rajkovic, Marko Petkovic, Luka Jovic.
SERBIA (4-2-3-1): Marko Dmitrovic; Nikola Milenkovic, Stefan Mitrovic, Strahinja Pavlovic; Darko Lazovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Nemanja Gudelj, Filip Kostic; Dusan Tadic; Dusan Vlahovic, Aleksandar Mitrovic.
These two sides are likely to battling out for top spot come matchday 10, so today’s game could show us who has the advantage. Serbia are unbeaten in their last five games, their last defeat coming against Scotland in the Euro qualifiers, which saw them miss out on qualification. Meanwhile Portugal were unable to defend their Nations League title, after finishing runners-up in their League A group, following a defeat against France.
Both teams got off to winning starts in Group A, with Serbia beating Republic of Ireland 3-2 and Portugal securing a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE match commentary of the Group A World Cup qualifying clash between Serbia and Portugal.
FT: SERBIA 2 – 2 PORTUGAL