England thrash Serbia 5-0 amid lasers, riots, and political unrest
England’s World Cup qualifier in Belgrade against Serbia turned out to be far more dramatic than just football. On the pitch, Gareth Southgate’s side cruised to a comfortable 5-0 victory, but off it, the night was overshadowed by lasers, crowd trouble, and even riot police storming the stands.
The match had to be briefly paused in the first half when defender Ezri Konsa was targeted by a green laser from the stands. In the 38th minute, Konsa reacted sharply, throwing his head back after being dazzled, and French referee Clement Turpin was forced to halt the game. Just moments earlier, Reece James had also been affected as he prepared to take a free-kick. After a short stoppage, an announcement over the stadium loudspeakers warned fans against using lasers and pyrotechnics, but the tension didn’t end there.
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As the game wore on, England pulled further ahead through goals from Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, and Konsa himself, but the home supporters grew restless. Manager Dragan Stojkovic was loudly booed as he emerged for the second half, and political chants filled the air. Riot police had to intervene after anti-government songs rang out, while some fans were heard chanting about Kosovo, highlighting the wider political tensions present in Belgrade that night.
The trouble didn’t stop at chants. One Serbian supporter climbed over the barriers and tried to move toward the England section, tearing up an England shirt in front of rival fans before being quickly apprehended. Children were even escorted out of parts of the stadium as unrest spread, and riot police moved swiftly to keep control. Commentators on site reported a mix of football frustration and political protest blending into one hostile atmosphere.
It’s worth noting that the Rajko Mitic Stadium was already operating at reduced capacity. At least 15% of seats had been closed off as punishment for racist chanting in a previous Serbia game against Andorra. In fact, the Serbian FA admitted it has paid more than £600,000 in fines over the past five years for repeated fan misconduct, ranging from banned items to discriminatory abuse.
Despite all the off-field problems, England’s players remained focused. Captain Harry Kane had spoken before the match about being prepared for potential abuse and knowing UEFA’s protocols, but thankfully, the game was completed without any players needing to walk off. By the end, England’s emphatic 5-0 win sent them further along their path to World Cup qualification, though the night will be remembered just as much for the ugly scenes in the stands as for the goals on the pitch.
In short, England’s performance was superb, but the night in Belgrade reminded everyone how football can sometimes be overshadowed by politics, unrest, and unacceptable fan behaviour. The Three Lions left with three points and five goals, but Serbia left with more questions than answers, both on and off the field.
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