Spain delivered a commanding 3-0 win over Serbia in the UEFA Nations League, opening a three-point lead in their group. “Serbia vs Spain” became a one-sided affair, with Spain launching 29 shots compared to Serbia’s two. Aymeric Laporte opened the scoring early, followed by second-half goals from Alvaro Morata and Alex Baena. Strahinja Pavlovic’s red card only worsened Serbia’s night.
Spain’s early dominance paid off when Laporte scored in just the fifth minute. Despite controlling the game, Spain failed to extend their lead until the second half. Morata, who missed a penalty earlier, made amends by scoring Spain’s second. Just before that, Aleksandar Mitrovic missed Serbia’s best chance to equalize, and soon after, Serbia’s defense crumbled.
Pavlovic was initially shown a yellow card, but VAR upgraded it to a red after a reckless foul on Mikel Oyarzabal. Baena sealed the win with a stunning free-kick to cap off Spain’s victory. The result sees Spain qualify for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, while Serbia’s hopes remain uncertain.
Spain, missing seven of their regulars from the side that won Euro 2024, looked comfortable despite key absences. Lamine Yamal was the latest to miss out with a knock, but Luis de la Fuente’s side showed their depth. Serbia, despite a solid recovery from their Euros disappointment, struggled to create chances and were second-best throughout.
Talking Point: Spain’s Dominance Unstoppable
For much of the game, Spain appeared to toy with their Serbian opponents, creating chance after chance. Morata, Baena, Oyarzabal, and Mikel Merino were relentless in attack. Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic made several key saves to keep his team in the match for as long as possible, but the pressure was relentless.
Serbia’s best chance came when Sasa Zdjelar’s pass found Mitrovic unmarked in the box. However, Mitrovic sent his shot high and wide, one of only three attempts Serbia managed all evening. Spain, meanwhile, controlled possession and nearly reached 30 shots by the final whistle.
For Serbia, maintaining their Nations League status remains the goal after earning promotion twice in three editions. A draw with Spain last month gave hope, but this heavy defeat showed the gap between the teams. Serbia must now focus on Denmark and Switzerland to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
Player of the Match: Alex Baena
Baena impressed in his first start for Spain, filling in for Yamal on the left wing. The 23-year-old from Villarreal was involved throughout, constantly threatening the Serbian defense. His free-kick goal late in the match was the highlight of an excellent performance. Baena’s contribution solidified Spain’s victory and showcased the depth of attacking talent in the squad.
In conclusion, “Serbia vs Spain” highlighted Spain’s dominance as they march toward the Nations League knockouts, leaving Serbia with a tough road ahead.
