Already-qualified Portugal rounded off their Euro 2016 Group I qualifying campaign with a trip to Serbia on Sunday.
It was the visitors that led at the interval courtesy of a fifth-minute effort from attacker Nani.
Serbia were level in the 65th minute, however, when Zoran Tosic found the back of the net from close range.
The hosts then conceded to a Joao Moutinho strike in the 78th minute, before Aleksandar Kolarov, who had just been subbed, and Nemanja Matic were sent off in quick succession.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 qualification coverage continues from Belgrade as Serbia welcome Portugal. The home side have only collected four points from their seven group games thus far and will be keen to finish with a victory against a Portugal side that secured their spot at Euro 2016 with a 1-0 win over Denmark on Thursday. Let's hope for an entertaining clash as Group I draws to a close.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news...
TEAMS
SERBIA: Stojkovic; Tomovic, Mitrovic, D.Tosic, Kolarov; Tadic, Matic, Milivojevic, Z.Tosic; Ljajic; Mitrovic
PORTUGAL: Patricio; Semedo, Fonte, Alves, Eliseu; Andre, Danilo, Veloso; Nani, Danny, Quaresma
So there we have it. There are plenty of familiar names in the Serbia XI this afternoon, with four representatives from the Premier League. Aleksandar Kolarov will skipper the team from left-back, while Nemanja Matic, Dusan Dadic and Aleksandar Mitrovic are also selected. Inter Milan's Adem Ljajic will operate behind the lone forward, while Zoran Tosic is also given a spot in attack.
As for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo has been released from international duty after qualification was secured last week. There is no recognised striker in Fernando Santos's team, with Danny expected to play in the middle of Ricardo Quaresma and Nani, who will skipper the side. Joao Moutinho and Bernando Silva both drop out of the team, with Andre Andre and Miguel Veloso selected in the middle of the park.
Since the break-up of Yugoslavia, Serbia have met Portugal on three separate occasions. Two of those matches finished 1-1 during qualification for the European Championships in 2008, while Portugal were 2-1 winners in the reverse match in this group back in March. Serbia are yet to beat Portugal in three attempts, but Yugoslavia did record two wins over the Iberian nation.
Serbia have actually won two of their seven Group I games thus far, in addition to drawing 1-1 with Armenia, but a three-point deduction following their clash with Albania last October means that the Eagles currently sit fourth in the group on four points. They are seven points behind third-place Albania and could actually still finish bottom of the group if Armenia were to beat Albania this evening.
Serbia did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, while they also failed to make it to either Euro 2008 or Euro 2012. In fact, Yugoslavia in Euro 2000 is the last time that the supporters have been able to enjoy a major tournament. Serbia are also without a competitive victory in five matches in Belgrade, but have won their last two group games – both 2-0 – against Armenia and Albania.
As for Portugal, a 1-0 win over Denmark on Thursday evening ensured that they would top the section and advance to Euro 2016 as group winners. Fernando Santos's team actually opened Group I with a 1-0 defeat to Albania, but have since won six straight games to take control of the group. They will also enter this match having not conceded in their last two qualifying matches.
What's more, Portugal have won their last six away qualifiers since a 3-3 draw with Israel in March 2013. Their performance at the 2014 World Cup, however, was disappointing as they went out in the group stages. The Iberian nation have reached the semi-finals in two of the last four European Championships, however, in addition to making the final on home soil in 2004. In fact, since 1996, Portugal have reached at least the quarter-finals in every European Championship - a very impressive record.
PREDICTION! This is a tough game to call. Both teams will fancy their chances of picking up all three points and while I would normally favour Portugal, the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo is a big one. I can see it being a tight game for long spells in Belgrade and will therefore sit on the fence and back a 1-1 draw.
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the national anthems have been completed and the flags have been exchanged. Not exactly a full stadium tonight, while the weather is filthy. That aside, we are all set for tonight's fixture in Belgrade. It is the home team that get the first 45 minutes of action underway here...
... it is Serbia in red this evening and Portugal in white. The home side immediately threaten as Mitrovic feeds Tosic in a wide angle, but his dangerous cross is headed clear by Fonte.
CHANCE! Good grief what a chance for the hosts! A super corner from Ljajic catches out the Portuguese defence and drops into an area that D.Tosic is occupying, but the defender cannot make contact. Very quick start from Serbia as they immediately regain the ball from the goal kick.
Half-chance for Portugal this time as Quaresma stands over a free kick in a wide area, but his low cross is cleared by Tomovic. Quaresma delivers from a moving ball moments later, but Stojkovic is on hand to claim. It has been a very open start to this game as Serbia break straight down the other end.
GOAL! Serbia 0-1 Portugal (Nani)
Portugal take the lead in the fifth minute as Nani fires home from close range after Danny had initially been denied by Stojkovic. Danny's pace took him past the Serbia back-line and when the ball fell to Nani, the skipper for the night simply could not miss. Poor defending from the home side.
Just a reminder that there is not an awful lot to play for this evening besides pride. Portugal are already through to Euro 2016 and Serbia are already out. As a result, that should produce a good game and that has been the case inside the opening eight minutes. More goals to follow please.
Serbia continue to commit players forward as Kolarov finds space down the left, but his low cross is cleared by Fonte. Plenty happening, but no real opportunities since the first goal went in here.
It would not be truthful to say that there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, but those in attendance are being treated to a good game of football. Serbia have been the team on the front foot since Nani scored, but there has not been too much in the way of clear opportunities.
Portugal have flattered to deceive in recent tournaments, but you sense that they have the capabilities to make a serious impression at Euro 2016. Much of it depends on Ronaldo, but they also have some excellent young players in and around the squad. Still 1-0 to the visitors in Belgrade.
Serbia continue to pass and probe in the final third, and there does seem spare in wide areas for the home team to exploit. Zoran Tosic is seeing plenty of the ball, but the overall quality has not been too great thus far. Both teams are giving the ball away too easily in the final third of the field.
Serbia have a free kick in a dangerous area as Veloso brings Matic to the ground...
... Ljajic delivers into the near post, but a strong header from Fonte clears the danger.
The referee has been busier than he would have liked in the last few moments following a couple of late challenges, but the set-piece deliver from both sides has been disappointing. Zoran Tosic does manage to pick out the head of Mitrovic with a drilled cross, but his effort was always too high.
Albania are currently winning 1-0 in Armenia in Group I's other match, which has thrown the race for second wide open. Denmark will have a close eye on that result, that is for sure. Not too much is happening in Belgrade at the moment as both teams continue to struggle in the final third.
Possession football from Serbia as they continue to move the ball from left to right, but Portugal are pretty comfortable at the back. Meanwhile, late challenges continue to interrupt the flow here.
In truth, not a lot has happened since the opening five minutes, which saw the hosts come close and Nani open the scoring. A low cross from Kolarov almost finds Zoran Tosic at the near post, but it was a difficult chance for the former Manchester United attacker. Still 1-0 with 27 minutes on the clock.
BOOKING! Semedo (Portugal) is booked for a late challenge on Kolarov.
Semedo, on his debut for the national team, now has a card. The resulting free kick is delivered by Kolarov, but again it is excellent defending from Portugal as Fonte rises to clear the danger.
Tadic finds space in a wide area before delivering towards the near post, but Patricio steps out to claim as Portugal again survive the attack. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE Finally a chance of note as Tomovic drives down the right for the home team before sliding a low cross into Tadic, but the Southampton midfielder has a fresh-air shot - should have done better!
SAVE! Zoran Tosic is the next to come close for Serbia after dropping his shoulder and striking one from outside the box, but the winger's effort is straight into the body of Patricio.
Tadic has really come into the game in the last 10 minutes, with the Southampton midfielder causing problems in the final third. Another smart move sees the attacker link with Mitrovic, but the return pass is just too strong and Portugal have a goal kick. Little under 10 minutes of the half to play here.
One from the Southampton training ground as Fonte dives across to challenge Tadic, who looked sure to test Patricio at the far post following a swift Serbia counter. This is much more like it!
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Ljajic finds space inside the Portugal box before hammering one towards the near post, but it is a smart save from Patricio. Serbia are well on top.
Based on what has occurred in the last 10 minutes, Portugal are lucky to still be ahead in this game. We have hardly seen anything from the likes of Nani and Quaresma since the early stages, while Danny is struggling in an unfamiliar striking role. That said, Fernando Santos's side still lead here.
PENALTY SHOUT! Serbia have a strong penalty shout as Mitrovic goes down inside the box under a challenge from Semedo, but the referee is not interested. Big calls from the players and crowd!
Probably the correct call from the referee actually, it would have been a little soft.
BOOKING! Danny (Portugal) is booked for dissent.
CHANCE! Yet another opportunity for Serbia as a long ball up to Mitrovic ends with the Newcastle forward turning inside the Portugal box, but his final effort is wide of the post. Portugal are really struggling to keep the ball at the moment, but they still lead 1-0 in the latter stages of this first period here.
There might not be an awful lot at stake here, but tensions are rising as Veloso has a shot blocked inside the Serbia box, before Eliseu fires high and wide of the crossbar. Much better game now.
BOOKING! Nani (Portugal) is booked for dissent.
HALF-TIME: Serbia 0-1 Portugal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Portugal leading 1-0 courtesy of an early strike from Nani, who was first to react from a parried Danny effort. Serbia have been the better team for long spells, however, and are very unfortunate to enter the interval 1-0 behind.
STATISTICS! Serbia have had more of the possession with 57%, while they have had four attempts, two of which were on target. As for Portugal, they have had two attempts, but scored with their only one on target. There have also been three yellow cards - all for Portugal (Semedo, Danny, Nani).
BENCH WATCH! Serbia boss Curcic has a number of attacking options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Brasanac, Katai and Sulejmani among those that will hope to feature from the sidelines. As for Portugal, there is no Cristiano Ronaldo, but Eder, Moutinho and Silva are available.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second 45 minutes. Can Serbia recover from that early Nani strike? It is the visitors that get the second half of action underway...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will look to fresh things up over the course of the next 20 minutes. These conditions will take a lot out of the players and club managers will surely be watching closely.
PORTUGAL SUB! Late half-time sub for Portugal as Neto replaces Alves.
Portugal have started this second period on the front foot, with Nani and Quaresma seeing plenty of the ball in wide positions. The latter strikes one from a wide angle, but Stojkovic is on hand to make the save. You just get the feeling that Serbia need to score the next goal in this match.
BOOKINGS! Mitrovic (Serbia) and Danilo (Portugal) are both booked after clashing in the middle of the park. Not much surprise that Mitrovic got himself involved there.
CHANCE! Clear sight of goal for the home side as Kolarov sets up Ljajic just outside the Portugal box, but his low strike was always angling wide of the post. Much better from Serbia there!
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this evening as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Quaresma gets down the right for Portugal before delivering, but Tomovic is on hand to clear. The pitch is cutting up a little due to the amount of rain in Belgrade tonight.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Mitrovic races through on the Portugal goal before finding the top corner, but the Serbian was offside when he collected the pass from Ljajic. Super finish nonetheless.
Portugal are preparing to make a change here as Serbia continue to play the better football.
PORTUGAL SUB! Eder replaces Danny in Portugal's second change.
There might not be that much at stake in this game besides pride, but there have been a number of meaty challenges in Belgrade. Veloso is fortunate to escape a yellow card after a poor challenge on Milivojevic, who was quicker to the ball in the middle of the park. Nani's goal still the difference here.
SAVE! Zoran Tosic releases another strike, but Patricio is down to make the save.
Matic is next to try his luck for the home team after finding space outside the box, but his powerful effort was always rising over the crossbar. Still no movement on the Serbian bench at the moment.
Serbia have another free kick in a dangerous position as Andre fells Tadic...
... Kolarov goes for the bottom corner, but it was never testing the Portuguese goalkeeper.
Portugal have not been too impressive this evening, but without Ronaldo, they are beating a strong team away from home, which is always good. Fernando Santos will be delighted as it stands.
GOAL! Serbia 1-1 Portugal (Zoran Tosic)
Serbia have their deserved equaliser in the 65th minute as Kolarov delivers a low cross into Zoran Tosic, who hammers one into the back of the net. Super finish from the attacker there!
It is no surprise that the goal came from Kolarov, who has been the best player on the pitch this evening. Portugal cannot say that they were not warned and it would not be a surprise to see Serbia go on and claim all three points from this position. Still more than 20 minutes of this game to play.
Portugal just cannot seem to keep the ball at the moment as Serbia continue to threaten and in truth, it has been that way for some time. Kolarov again strikes a wonderful ball from outside the box, but his effort deflects over the Portugal crossbar. Serbia have been by far the better team tonight.
PORTUGAL SUB! Moutinho replaces Veloso in Portugal's final change.
Portugal just have not been in this game in the second period and they are even struggling to threaten on the counter, which was a weapon in the first half. It is simply all Serbia in Belgrade.
Matic fires one over the crossbar as Serbia continue to dominate this game.
CHANCE! Another chance for the home team as Zoran Tosic delivers a dangerous cross towards Mitrovic, who looked certain to tap home from close range, but Patricio manages to make the save.
Albania are currently 2-0 ahead in Armenia, which means that they would finish above Denmark in second position in Group I. Serbia are preparing to make their first change of the match...
... SERBIA SUB! Obradovic replaces Kolarov for the home team.
GOAL! Serbia 1-2 Portugal (Moutinho)
Completely against the run of play, Portugal score a second here as Moutinho finds space outside the box before curling a quite wonderful effort into the top corner. It is an outstanding strike!
RED CARD! Kolarov (Serbia), who has just been subbed, has been sent off. So Serbia still have 11 men, but a red card has been given to their captain following dissent from the sidelines. Wow!
RED CARD! Matic (Serbia) is now sent off for a terrible challenge on Andre. Serbia are just losing their heads here and it is very poor to see. They have just completely thrown this away!
Well, it is a real shame because Serbia were excellent for long spells of the second period. However, a crazy few minutes have seen this game turned around. Little over five minutes remaining here.
SERBIA SUB! Sulejmani replaces Zoran Tosic for the hosts.
SERBIA SUB! Final change as Skuletic replaces Mitrovic.
Portugal have been much better since scoring that second and Nani's pace is allowing the away side to move up the field. The attacker delivers a super cross towards Eder, but Serbia survive. Nani then has a shot of his own from close range, but the Serbia goalkeeper gets a strong hand to it.
Possession football from Portugal as we approach the final stages of this game. It has been a match full of incident, but the record books will say that Portugal have recorded yet another win tonight.
Patricio and Fonte are currently both flat out on the crowd after a sickening collision.
The fourth official has indicated that we will play an additional four minutes.
Patricio and Fonte are both on their feet, but neither look comfortable.
Some wounded players out there at the moment as Fonte stays on the ground. He wants to be replaced, but Portugal have made all three subs. This is ending in a bit of a whimper!
Patricio in the Portugal goal can barely stand as he continues to hobble. Down the other end, Serbian goalkeeper Stojkovic goes down following a strong challenge with Eder. Stop-start now.
Stojkovic now knows how Patricio feels as both goalkeepers limp around.
FULL-TIME: Serbia 1-2 Portugal
So there we have it. Another good win for Portugal as they end their Euro 2016 Group I qualifying campaign with a 2-1 success in Serbia. They will top the group, while Albania will qualify in second position after beating Armenia this evening. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
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