After thumping Serbia 5-0 in the reverse fixture, England fans would’ve been forgiven for expecting the goals to flow once again here.
Serbia changed up their system in an attempt to combat the Three Lions, and it certainly worked in the opening stages as they were able to completely nullify any England threat, with a Bukayo Saka effort that was high, wide and not very handsome perfectly summing up the start Thomas Tuchel’s men made.
Yet, he more than atoned for that shortly before the half-hour mark, when Nico O’Reilly’s deflected effort fell kindly for him and he caressed an inch-perfect volley into the far corner.
A revered opponent at club level for his ability from set-pieces, Declan Rice almost added another international goal contribution shortly before the break, when he produced another perfect delivery for the unmarked Harry Kane at the far post. Wembley took a collective breath, but to the surprise of everyone inside the iconic stadium, he could only head down into the turf and over the bar.
Another wicked delivery produced one last chance for England to double their advantage before half-time, but this time it was Morgan Rogers who was wayward with his header as he turned Reece James’ cross wide of the target.
News that Albania had taken the lead against Andorra forced Serbia’s hand to perhaps open up earlier than they’d have liked to. And they almost did find an equaliser against the run of play, when Filip Kostic broke in behind on the break and found Dusan Vlahovic inside the area, only for his inventive flick to drift narrowly wide of the post.
A raft of changes by Thomas Tuchel left England a little disjointed in the second half, and Serbia thought they’d took full advantage of that when the ball fell kindly for Lazar Samardzic on the volley, but his effort fell just wide of the post to the relief of a desperate Jordan Pickford.
Serbian substitute Nemanja Radonjic looked bright when he came onto mark his return to the national team after a lengthy hiatus, and he almost had the perfect introduction when he teed up Vlahovic, whose curling effort flew narrowly over the bar.
Their chances dissipated in the last minute of normal time though, when a rapid break spearheaded by Phil Foden ended with Eberechi Eze curling home a sumptuous effort into the far corner to add some gloss to an otherwise timid evening for Tuchel’s side, and ended Serbia’s hopes, after Albania held out to defeat Andorra and secure second spot.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ezri Konsa (England)
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