Reigning UEFA Nations League (UNL) champions Spain continued their dominance in the competition with a commanding 3-0 victory over Serbia, securing their place in the quarter-finals. Playing in front of a sold-out crowd at the Estadio Nuevo Arcángel in Córdoba, Spain extended their unbeaten record against Serbia to three matches (W2, D1) in a masterclass that saw them control the game from start to finish.
Early Dominance
Spain wasted no time showing why they’re the defending champions, with their first goal coming just five minutes into the match. In the midst of a torrential downpour, Pedro Porro sent in a perfectly measured cross, which was met by Aymeric Laporte. The centre-back rose highest to head the ball into the far corner, leaving Serbia’s goalkeeper Predrag Rajković stranded.
Luis de la Fuente’s men maintained relentless pressure as the first half progressed. Mikel Oyarzabal came close to doubling Spain’s lead with a solo effort that was blocked by Rajković. Moments later, Mikel Merino saw his header bounce off the post after a corner, adding to Serbia’s woes. Rajković, Serbia’s best performer in the first half, denied Oyarzabal once again before halftime, tipping a powerful strike around the post.
Despite Spain’s overwhelming dominance, Serbia managed only one attempt on target in the first half, leaving their coach, Dragan Stojković, visibly frustrated.
Serbia’s Struggles Continue
Looking to inject some life into his side, Stojković made two changes at halftime, bringing on Marko Grujić and Luka Jović. However, Serbia’s fortunes didn’t improve. In the 54th minute, Álvaro Morata had a golden opportunity to extend Spain’s lead from the penalty spot after a handball by Veljko Birmančević. Unfortunately for Spain, Morata skied his effort, keeping the scoreline at 1-0.
Serbia had their best chance to level the game soon after, but Aleksandar Mitrović, usually so clinical, missed an open opportunity from close range. It was a moment Serbia would soon regret.
Morata Redeems Himself
Spain responded ruthlessly. Just minutes after Mitrović’s miss, Morata made amends for his penalty blunder with a sublime finish. A quick one-two with Fabián Ruiz saw Morata slot the ball past Rajković to make it 2-0 in the 64th minute. It was a moment of pure class and proof of Spain’s attacking prowess.
Disaster for Serbia
Serbia’s night went from bad to worse in the 76th minute. Strahinja Pavlović, initially shown a yellow card, had it upgraded to a straight red after a VAR review confirmed that he had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. The resulting free-kick was a moment of brilliance from substitute Álex Baena, who curled the ball past Rajković to seal the 3-0 win for Spain.
Spain could have added a fourth late, but Pedri’s thunderous effort struck the crossbar. Nevertheless, the comprehensive win ensured Spain’s place in next year’s quarter-finals. The road ahead is difficult for Serbia, which is now in third place. They must win their remaining matches against Switzerland and Denmark to avoid relegation and keep their UNL hopes alive.
Spain March Forward
With this victory, Spain continues to show why they are among the favorites to lift the UNL trophy again. Their dominance in this match, both offensively and defensively, highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides. This loss is a wake-up call for Serbia, and they’ll need to regroup quickly if they are to stay in the competition.
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Conclusion
Spain’s 3-0 victory over Serbia was a statement performance from the reigning champions, showcasing their quality and ambition to retain the UEFA Nations League crown. Serbia, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle to qualify for the next stage. As we look forward to the remaining fixtures, there’s no doubt that Spain remains one of the teams to beat. For football fans and bettors alike, the journey in the UNL continues to deliver thrills, and there’s no better place to get involved than BangSports.
