Serbia took a massive step towards securing their place in the UEFA Nations League top flight by earning a crucial 2-0 victory over Switzerland, their first-ever win in head-to-head encounters. With both teams battling to avoid relegation from Group A4, the stakes were incredibly high, but Serbia seized the moment with a combination of fortune and brilliance to come out on top.
Slow Start but a Flurry of Late First-Half Action
Both sides came into this clash knowing that survival in the top tier was on the line, but fans were disappointed by a sluggish start to the game. Serbia’s Veljko Birmančević had the only notable attempt early on, but Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel comfortably saved his shot.
It wasn’t until the 30th minute that the first real chance arrived, and it fell to Switzerland’s Breel Embolo. Teed up by Silvan Widmer, Embolo squandered the opportunity, firing wide when he should have at least hit the target. This was a costly miss as the Swiss left before the halftime whistle.
Serbia’s Fortunate Lead Just Before the Break
In stoppage time, Serbia snatched the lead against the run of play. Lazar Samardžić whipped in a dangerous cross that took a wicked deflection off Swiss defender Nico Elvedi and found the back of the net. It wasn’t the prettiest of goals, but Serbia didn’t care—it gave them a crucial advantage heading into halftime.
On the other hand, Switzerland was left reeling after conceding such a soft goal just when it seemed they’d make it to the break on level terms. That slice of luck swung the momentum firmly in Serbia’s favor.
Offside Drama Saves Serbia’s Clean Sheet
Switzerland thought they had found a way back into the game early in the second half when Embolo poked home after a well-worked corner. However, Dan Ndoye was flagged for offside in the buildup, leaving Switzerland frustrated as Serbia’s clean sheet remained intact.
This decision highlighted Serbia’s fortune in defense, but it wasn’t long before they struck again, this time with a piece of individual brilliance.
Mitrović’s Moment of Magic
Aleksandar Mitrović was the hero for Serbia once again. His tireless running paid off when he chased down what looked like a lost cause and kept the ball in play. From an impossible angle, Mitrović unleashed a thunderous right-footed strike that rocketed into the top corner, leaving Kobel with no chance.
Serbia now had a two-goal cushion, and they looked set to see out the game comfortably.
Kobel’s Heroics and Embolo’s Penalty Miss
Luka Jović came close to extending Serbia’s lead even further when his point-blank header forced a stunning save from Kobel, who kept Switzerland in the contest. That save gave the Swiss hope, and they were handed a lifeline when Kosta Nedeljković fouled Ndoye in the box, awarding Switzerland a penalty.
But Embolo fluffed his lines once again, as his poorly taken penalty sailed wide, and with it, Switzerland’s last realistic chance of mounting a comeback slipped away.
Swiss Desperation but Serbia Holds Firm
Switzerland kept pressing for a goal as the game moved into the final stages, but they couldn’t capitalize on their set-pieces, spurning two golden opportunities from corners. Serbia’s defense, although under pressure, held firm to ensure they left the field with all three points.
Conclusion
Serbia’s first-ever victory over Switzerland couldn’t have come at a better time. With this win, Serbia’s hopes of surviving in their maiden top-flight UEFA Nations League campaign are looking bright. In contrast, Switzerland now sits pointless at the bottom of Group A4, staring down the barrel of relegation to League B for the first time.
This result leaves Serbia riding high with confidence as they edge closer to survival, while Switzerland will need to regroup quickly to avoid further disappointment.
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