Spain crushed visiting team Serbia with a convincing score of 3-0. Luis de la Fuente’s troops once again showed their quality as the kings of Europe, Serbia struggled to fight back.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Spain faced Serbia at Nuevo Arcangel in the continuation of the UEFA Nations League 2024/2025 Group A4. Serbia had fought hard, but the difference in level between the two teams could not be denied.
Spain were missing several players from the team that beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final in July, but still outscored Serbia with 30 shots to the visitors’ three.
This time, the Matador Team immediately attacked from the first minute and scored a goal in the 5th minute. A corner kick scheme, Porro’s pass was met by Laporte’s accurate header. Goal! Spain 1-0 Serbia.
The lead made Spain play more freely. Mikel Merino almost doubled the score in the 16th minute, but the Arsenal midfielder’s header hit the post. Mikel Oyarzabal’s long-range effort in the 34th minute was also saved by Rajkovic.
In the first half alone, they had released 9 attempts at shots, while Serbia only had 1. The score of 1-0 sent the players to the locker room.
In the second half, Spain got a penalty kick in the 54th minute. However, Alvaro Morata who was appointed as the executioner failed to carry out his duties.
Spain then doubled their lead in the 65th minute. An open play scheme, Ruiz’s pass was finished by Morata with an accurate horizontal shot to the bottom left of the opponent’s goal. Goal! Spain 2-0 Serbia.
Instead of scoring a goal, Serbia actually played with 10 players after Strahinja Pavlovic received a red card in the 76th minute.
77th minute, Spain is getting further away. This time from a dead ball situation, Alex Baena’s free kick accurately hits the top right. Goal! Spain 3-0 Serbia.
There are no additional goals until the end of the match. Score 3-0. Spain gets three important points to continue to stay at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, Serbia is in third place with four points, as reported on the official UEFA website.
With two games remaining, Spain have already secured at least a second-place finish as they top League A Group Four on 10 points, three ahead of Denmark and six ahead of Serbia, while Switzerland are bottom on one point after drawing 2-2 at home to Denmark.