In a match that was spectacular at times, Serbia caused a sensation in Lisbon and snatched the WM ticket from under Portugal’s nose. The 2-1 victory came in the proverbial last minute.
It was a spectacular first half for the spectators at the Estadio da Luz. Starting with a lightning start for the Portuguese, who had almost completely changed their starting eleven compared to the 0-0 draw against Ireland – only Cristiano Ronaldo, Danilo Pereira and Rui Patricio remained on the pitch – and were able to celebrate the early lead: Gudelj carelessly wasted the ball against Bernardo Silva, the ball came shortly afterwards to Renato Sanches, who scored after 96 seconds to make it 1:0.
Serbia come into the game better – and reward themselves
After that, however, it was the Serbs who got better and better into the game. Vlahovic – acting as the visitors’ only top player ahead of his captain Tadic – first fumbled and shot wide (6th), then put an exclamation mark on the game with a shot against the post (12th).
Portugal seemed to be impressed by the Serbians’ increasing control of the game, and by the break they had more possession and more shots on goal. Consequently, the visitors were able to equalise after just over half an hour, but it was the home side who had a big hand in it: Danilo Pereira deflected Tadic’s shot with his belly so that Rui Patricio could not hold on to the ball and let it roll over the goal line (33rd minute).
Chances on both sides before the break – a tense game afterwards
Before the break it was Tadic (36th) and Kostic (40th) who first pushed for the second goal Serbia needed. Then Portugal relieved themselves and registered offensively once again: Joao Moutinho’s finish brought out a corner (41st), which Danilo Pereira then headed onto the roof of the net (42nd).
After the change of ends, there was much less football played. The already fiercely contested game became more disjointed and often interrupted, with referee Daniele Orsato handing out a total of seven yellow cards by the 70th minute (including one for Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic, who complained too much when he conceded a goal).
Goal kicks initially went to the Portuguese: Renato Sanches tested Rajkovic twice (53rd, 62nd), Serbia mostly lacked the last pass to get into a dangerous finishing position. Even a series of standards, which Tadic hammered into the penalty area time and again, did not find a taker and thus did not cause any danger.
Veljkovic out injured – Mitrovic decides the game
After 65 minutes, another blow for the Serbians: Veljkovic from Bremen, who had injured his groin during a running duel with Diogo Jota, could not continue and had to be substituted. But both teams continued to give each other nothing and fought hard until the final stages.
Mitrovic, Serbia’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign, who came on as a substitute at the break, missed a header narrowly (83rd) before he was in the right place at the second post to nod home Tadic’s cross in the final minute (90th). The ecstasy of the visitors was immense and increased even more when the final whistle blew a few minutes later, as Portugal could no longer counter the lucky punch and will have to go the extra round in the play-offs in 2022.
