Serbia Soars to Safety with Dominant Shutout Victory Over Belgium…Read More…
In a stunning display of grit, discipline, and tactical brilliance, Serbia delivered a resounding 3-0 shutout against Belgium on Saturday night, pulling themselves further away from the relegation zone in the UEFA Nations League and reigniting hopes of a top-tier resurgence.
The win, achieved on Belgian soil at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, not only silenced critics who had all but written off the Serbian squad but also sent a clear message to the rest of Group A3: Serbia is far from finished.
Early Signs of Serbian Intent
From the opening whistle, Serbia looked like a team transformed. Coach Dragan Stojković made a bold decision to field a younger, more dynamic lineup, and the move paid off handsomely. Within the first 15 minutes, the visitors carved out two near-goal opportunities, both created by the electrifying winger Nemanja Radonjić, whose pace terrorized the Belgian defense all evening.
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Dušan Vlahović calmly slotted home a precise cross from Filip Kostić, putting Serbia ahead 1-0. The Serbian supporters erupted in celebration as the Juventus striker pointed to the crest on his chest—an emotional moment symbolizing unity and renewed belief.
Belgium’s Struggles and Serbia’s Control
Belgium, playing without their injured talisman Kevin De Bruyne and star striker Romelu Lukaku, struggled to find rhythm. Despite flashes of brilliance from Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard, the Red Devils were unable to break down Serbia’s tight defensive lines.
Serbia’s midfield trio—Sergej Milinković-Savić, Saša Lukić, and Ivan Ilić—were relentless, cutting off supply lines and forcing turnovers that turned into swift counterattacks. By halftime, Belgium had managed just two shots on target, both comfortably handled by Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić.
The second half saw Belgium attempt to mount a response, pushing higher up the pitch and committing more bodies forward. But this only left them vulnerable at the back. In the 58th minute, a miscommunication between Jan Vertonghen and Timothy Castagne allowed Aleksandar Mitrović to intercept a loose pass and rifle in Serbia’s second goal—his 58th for the national team.
A Statement Win Sealed in Style
With a 2-0 cushion, Serbia showed no signs of slowing down. Their intensity remained high, and their pressing continued to disrupt Belgium’s attempts at building from the back. In the 77th minute, the match was effectively sealed when Radonjić, after a scintillating solo run, curled a right-footed shot past Koen Casteels to make it 3-0.
The Serbian bench exploded in celebration, and even Coach Stojković, known for his composed demeanor, could be seen pumping his fists. The shutout was not just a win—it was a statement.
Post-Match Reactions
After the match, Serbian captain Dušan Tadić praised his team’s unity and hunger.
“This was more than just three points. We showed Europe what we’re capable of when we play with heart and discipline. We believed in ourselves even when others doubted us,” said Tadić.
Coach Stojković echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of resilience.
“People forget how difficult it is to rebuild a team during a transition period. But these players proved that we’re on the right track. We’re not looking at relegation—we’re looking up,” he told reporters.
Belgian interim manager Thomas Vermaelen, filling in for Domenico Tedesco who was absent due to personal reasons, admitted his side fell short.
“We were second-best in every department tonight. It’s a wake-up call. Credit to Serbia—they wanted it more and they earned it,” Vermaelen conceded.
Implications for the Table
The result sees Serbia leapfrog into third place in Group A3 with 7 points, now five clear of last-place Sweden with just two games remaining. The top two teams, Spain and France, are still within reach, but for Serbia, the immediate priority remains avoiding the drop and solidifying their position in the top tier of the Nations League.
Belgium, on the other hand, faces increasing pressure. With just one win in their last four matches, the Red Devils are at risk of slipping into the relegation battle themselves—a scenario unthinkable for a squad that was ranked world No. 1 just a few years ago.
What’s Next
Serbia will face Sweden at home in their next fixture—a match that could seal their survival and provide an opportunity to test more emerging talent. Meanwhile, Belgium will have to regroup quickly as they travel to face Spain in what is now a must-win encounter if they hope to salvage their Nations League campaign.
For Serbia, Saturday’s shutout win was more than just a clean sheet—it was a cleansing of doubt, a signal of resurgence, and perhaps the first step toward reclaiming their place among Europe’s elite.
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