Serbia vs England – A Fierce World Cup Qualifier in Belgrade
The stage was set in Belgrade for a World Cup 2026 qualifying clash that promised intensity, drama, and a touch of hostility. Serbia were hosting England at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, a venue long regarded as one of the most intimidating grounds in European football. England captain Harry Kane had played here before with Tottenham, and he ranked it among the top three most hostile stadiums he had ever experienced. The narrow tunnel, the deafening noise, the banging from the stands—it all added to the tension. Even though part of the stadium had been closed by FIFA as punishment for previous discriminatory fan behaviour, the atmosphere was still expected to be electric.
Serbia, led by Dragan Stojkovic, came into this game under pressure. Stojkovic made four changes to his side after a narrow win over Latvia, trying to inject fresh energy into his lineup. The home team’s key attacking threat was Dusan Vlahovic, supported by a dynamic midfield that included Nemanja Maksimovic and Sasa Lukic. Yet questions were being asked about their consistency, and fans were anxious to see whether this reshuffled side could hold its ground against England.
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On the other side, England manager Thomas Tuchel also rang the changes, making four switches from the team that defeated Andorra. In came Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Anthony Gordon, and Morgan Rogers, with the latter set to start in an important attacking role. Rogers, the Aston Villa midfielder, had only a handful of caps but was trusted on a night of such high stakes. Tuchel’s bold selection left out experienced names like Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze, and Dan Burn. Instead, he leaned on youth and energy, perhaps hoping that fresh legs would cope better in such a charged environment.
England lined up in a flexible 4-1-4-1 formation, with Jordan Pickford in goal, a solid defensive unit, and Rice anchoring midfield. Kane led the line, carrying the responsibility of turning half-chances into goals. Serbia, meanwhile, shaped into a 3-2-4-1, with their focus on pressing and disrupting England’s rhythm.
Beyond the tactical battles, the occasion carried weight off the pitch as well. England’s travelling fans had been warned about the partial stadium closure and reminded to report any discriminatory behaviour immediately. It served as a backdrop that reminded everyone this was more than just a game—it was also about football’s struggle to confront unacceptable behaviour in the stands.
As kick-off approached, the sense was that this was a moment of truth for both sides. For Serbia, it was about proving resilience and showing they could challenge the group’s favourites. For England, it was about handling pressure in one of the most hostile environments and keeping their qualification hopes on track. One way or another, the night in Belgrade was bound to be remembered as a defining point in the road to the 2026 World Cup.
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