Зоран Тошич забивает гол, но все надежды спасти очко рушатся после удаления 2 игроков

Zoran Tosic got a goal sandwiched between the visitors' efforts, but their hopes of salvaging a point were lost when they had two players sent off in quick succession

Portugal made it seven consecutive wins in competitive fixtures under Fernando Santos as they overcame nine-man Serbia2-1 in their final Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgrade.

The Iberian side recovered from defeat in their opening Group I fixture against Albania – when Paulo Bento was at the helm – to book their place in France with a 1-0 win over Denmark on October 8, so Santos took the chance to rest key players for their trip to Serbia.

The most notable absentee was captain Cristiano Ronaldo, but Nani – wearing the armband in the Real Madrid forward's stead – stepped up with the opening goal inside five minutes.

Radovan Curcic's men – only playing for pride after a turbulent campaign that included a three-point deduction following crowd trouble in their clash with Albania – took time to recover from the early strike, but finally equalised after 65 minutes through Zoran Tosic.

However, the hosts were made to rue their missed chances as Joao Moutinho curled home from 20 yards 12 minutes from time, keeping Santos' 100 per cent record in qualifying intact.

Things got even worse for Serbia late on, as Aleksandar Kolarov and Nemanja Matic were dismissed, ending their campaign with the same ill-discipline with which it started.

Serbia immediately went on the attack inside a buoyant Stadion Partizana, earning a corner inside the opening minute. Adem Ljajic's delivery only needed the slightest of touches from Dusko Tosic to divert it into the back of the net, but the defender could not oblige.

That initial promise soon evaporated, though, as Portugal took the lead with five minutes played.

Danny tore through the Serbia defence before pulling a save from Vladimir Stojkovic with a stabbed effort from the top of the box, but Nani was on hand to convert on the follow-up.

Fernando Santos' men quickly became more reserved in attack, instead focusing on maintaining a solid defence and forcing the hosts out into the wide areas.

As a result, it took Serbia a while to forge meaningful openings.

Ljajic called the Portuguese into action in the 38th minute shortly after a tame effort from Tosic, but his shot from an acute angle was batted away at the near post following a neat one-two with Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Inter man continued to be the hosts' greatest threat after the interval, dragging a strike wide of the target following a cutback from Kolarov in the 53rd minute.

Matic and Tosic both went close before Portugal's resistance was finally broken just past the hour, with the latter firing home from 12 yards following Kolarov's low delivery to the penalty spot.

Portugal were not to be denied a seventh straight win in Group I, though, as Moutinho, picked out by a clever cutback from Eliseu, bent an exquisite shot into the top-right corner in the 78th minute.

The goal caused Serbia to lose their cool, with Kolarov shown two bookings in the space of a minute – the second of which came after being substituted – before Matic was also dismissed for an elbow on Andre Andre.

Portugal were joined in the automatic qualification spots by Albania after they beat Armenia 3-0, leaving Denmark to contest the play-offs.

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  My name is Ben Cullimore and it's been a pleasure describing all of the action to you this evening. Until next time, goodbye!
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  Serbia finish the Euro 2016 qualifying stage with a disappointing defeat in a game that they dominated but just couldn't win. They looked bright and full of energy in front of the Portugal goal but found it difficult to beat the visitors' determined and well-organised defence, who held firm and defended resolutely to frustrate the hosts, which eventually led to them losing their heads, and, as a result, their chances of winning, late on.
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  FULL-TIME: SERBIA 1-2 PORTUGAL
• 90' + 4'

   

  Patricio, Fonte and Stojkovic are all still struggling with injuries as we near the end of injury time, and it looks as if the referee is going to blow his whistle soon due to the plethora of bodies lying all over the pitch.
• 90' + 3'

   

  And now Stojkovic is down injured! A poor attempted pass back from Tomovic causes plenty of problems for the Serbia goalkeeper, who charges out to try to meet it before being clattered into by Eder, who had every right to go for the ball.
• 90' + 1'

   

  Play resumes once again and Serbia push forward through Sulejmani, but the substitute's low cross into the heart of the Portugal penalty area is cut out by Neto at the vital moment.
• 90'

   

  The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
• 89'

   

  Obradovic flies down the left wing to get onto the end of a brilliant pass forward from Dusko Tosic, but the defender ends up colliding with Patricio and Fonte, both of whom darted across the penalty area to meet the Serbian before being flattered in a three-way collision.
• 87'

   

  Nani goes close! This time the winger is able to get a thumping shot away from just outside of the penalty area, but Stojkovic is able to palm it away with a great one-handed, diving save.
• 86'

   

  Great play by Nani! The winger battles with Tomovic on the left wing before chipping a lovely cross towards the far post, but there's nobody there to meet it, much to the annoyance of the former Manchester United man.
• 85'

   

  SubstitutionAleksandar Mitrović Petar Škuletić
  And the second is Skuletic, who takes the place of Aleksandar Mitrovic.
• 85'

   

  SubstitutionZoran Tosic Miralem Sulejmani
  Serbia have decided to make a double substitution. The first player to come on is Sulejmani, who replaces Zoran Tosic.
• 84'

   

  Tadic does well to get forward and twists and turns on the edge of the box as he attempts to find a way past the line of white shirts camped in front of him, but his run is halted by Eliseu at the vital moment, and the left-back then charges forward on a dangerous run.
• 83'

   

  Play gets underway once again and this time the players from both sides control themselves, with Serbia working the ball around well as they look to penetrate the Portugal back line and find a late equaliser.
• 81'

   

   

   

  Red CardNemanja Matić
  RED CARD! Serbia are down to 10 men! This time it's Matic who is sent off after taking a swing at Andre after the two clashed in the middle of the pitch. The Serbia players are incredibly angry and are in danger of seeing their numbers reduced even further if they don't calm down soon.
• 80'

   

  Yellow CardAndré André
• 79'

   

  Yellow CardDusko Tosic
• 79'

   

  Yellow/RedAleksandar Kolarov
  RED CARD! Kolarov is livid at the referee for allowing play to go on after it looked as if he was going to blow for a free kick, and he's given his marching orders, despite being on the substitutes' bench, for his outburst.
• 79'

   

  Yellow CardAleksandar Kolarov
• 78'

   

  AssistEliseu
• 78'

   

   

   

  GoalJoao Moutinho
  GOAL! Portugal have taken the lead once again! Zoran Tosic loses the ball deep inside the Serbia half of the pitch, allowing Eliseu to fly down the left wing before cutting a pass back to Moutinho, who then beats Stojkovic with an excellent curling strike from 20 yards out. That was beautifully hit by the substitute!
• 77'

   

  SubstitutionAleksandar Kolarov Ivan Obradovic
  Kolarov receives a standing ovation from the Serbia fans as he makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Obradovic.
• 75'

   

  Play gets underway once again and Portugal try to break away quickly down the right flank, but Dusko Tosic is there to cut out the danger with a strong interception on Nani just as the winger was about to unleash a cross.
• 74'

   

  Patricio seems to be in serious discomfort after being caught by Mitrovic in the aftermath of that previous save. Portugal have made all three substitutions so they will be hoping that he can make a quick recovery.
• 73'

   

  Chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic! Ljajic flies into the left-hand side of the Portugal penalty area before sending a dangerous low cross towards the near post, but Patricio sticks out a foot and sends the pass away from the aforementioned striker at the vital moment.
• 71'

   

  Portugal are finally able to push out of their own half of the pitch and on a patient attacking move down the left flank, but it's brought to a disappointing end by Quaresma, who sends his curling cross bouncing into the safe hands of Stojkovic.
• 70'

   

  SubstitutionMiguel Veloso Joao Moutinho
  Portugal have made their final alteration, with Veloso making way for Moutinho for the final 20 minutes.
• 69'

   

  Zoran Tosic scores, but it's disallowed! The attacking midfielder embarks on a great run through a sea of Portugal players before tucking the ball into the back of the net, but the referee immediately blows his whistle and awards a free kick to the visitors because of a suspected handball in the build-up.
• 67'

   

  What a strike by Kolarov! Serbia immediately revert to pushing as many bodies forward as possible, resulting in a corner for the hosts on the right flank. It's sent into the box but ends up bouncing out to the aforementioned defender, who then unleashes a thumping shot that deflects off Eder and just over the top of the crossbar.
• 65'

   

  AssistAleksandar Kolarov
• 65'

   

   

   

  GoalZoran Tosic
  GOAL! Serbia have equalised! Once again, Kolarov gets down the left flank far too easily before cutting the ball back to Zoran Tosic, who is completely unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, allowing him to thump an excellent shot past Patricio and into the back of the net.
• 64'

   

  It's all Serbia at the moment as they constantly push forward and put Portugal under plenty of pressure. The visitors are doing well to keep the hosts at bay but for how long can they keep this up?
• 62'

   

  Andre clumsily brings Tadic crashing to the ground with a poor sliding challenge, resulting in a free kick for Serbia in a dangerous position. Kolarov steps up and fires a shot from the set-piece but it's poorly hit and fails to trouble Patricio.
• 61'

   

  Serbia get forward well again but are unable to find a way through the sea of white shirts camped in front of them, forcing Matic into firing a curling strike from 30 yards out that ends up looping just over the top of the crossbar.
• 60'

   

  Nani loses the ball in a dangerous position, allowing Mitrovic to muscle his way into the left-hand side of Portugal penalty area before earning his side a corner. It's taken short and worked over to Zoran Tosic, who unleashes a thumping low shot from the edge of the box that Patricio does well to hold onto.
• 58'

   

  The play gets back underway and Quaresma immediately picks up the ball in acres of space before unleashing a curling shot from 25 yards out. It's brilliantly hit and beats Stojkovic but ends up flying just wide of the far post.
• 57'

   

  SubstitutionDanny Éder
  Portugal have made their second change of the evening, with Eder coming on to take the place of Danny.
• 56'

   

  Another chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic! This time it's Ljajic who flies forward before teeing up the Serbian striker, but the latter's first touch is poor and sends the ball bouncing into the hands of Patricio.
• 55'

   

  Aleksandar Mitrovic scores, but it's ruled out for offside! Serbia work the ball around beautifully deep inside the Portugal half of the pitch before Tadic tees up the aforementioned striker with an excellent through-ball, but the linesman's flag is quickly raised, much to the annoyance of the home fans.
• 54'

   

  A lofted, cross-field pass from Danilo finds Quaresma, who then skips past Tomovic far too easily before cutting into the Serbia penalty area. The winger then tries to find Danny, but the pass is easily cut out by Stefan Mitrovic.
• 53'

   

  What a chance for Ljajic! Kolarov flies past Semedo with ease before cutting a great pass back to the aforementioned attacking midfielder, who then ends up scuffing his 20-yard strike wide of the far post.
• 51'

   

  A Portugal attack breaks down, allowing Matic to push forward on a swift counter-attack. He quickly runs into trouble, however, and is forced to play the ball back before the visitors win the ball back once again.
• 49'

   

  Yellow CardAleksandar Mitrović
  Things are heating up once again! Danilo and Aleksandar Mitrovic square up in the middle of the pitch and start pushing one another, resulting in the referee brandishing his yellow card once more.
• 49'

   

  Yellow CardDanilo Pereira
  Danilo also receives a booking for his part in the fracas.
• 48'

   

  Nani flies into Dusko Tosic and is completely flattened by centre-back, leaving him in a heap in the floor and resulting in a free kick on the right wing. It's sent into the heart of the penalty area but fails to trouble the Serbia defence, who do well to deal with the danger.
• 47'

   

  Portugal immediately break down the left flank through Quaresma, who then tries to send a cross into the box with the outside of his right boot, but it's sent too near to Stojkovic, who is easily able to collect the ball as a result.
• 46'

   

  SubstitutionBruno Alves Neto
  Portugal have decided to make one substitution before the start of the second half, with Alves making way for Neto.
• 46'

   

  And we're underway once again!
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  The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
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  It's been a frustrating opening 45 minutes for Serbia, who have dominated for large swathes of the game but head into the half-time break a goal down as a result of some awfully shoddy defending. Apart from that, they've looked rather good. Kolarov and Tadić have been bright on the left, whilst Aleksandar Mitrović is proving to be a handful for a Portugal defence who started well but have progressively struggled as time goes on.
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  HALF-TIME: SERBIA 0-1 PORTUGAL
• 45'

   

  Chance for Portugal! The visitors break away quickly, taking advantage of the Serbia players camped further up the pitch. Veloso unleashes a low shot from just outside the hosts' penalty area that is deflected into the path of Eliseu, but the left-back's attempted cross towards Danny is completely mishit and ends up flying out of play for a goal kick.
• 44'

   

  Yellow CardNani
  Nani becomes the second Portugal player to be booked for dissent after sharing an unwelcome opinion with the referee, who doesn't look at all amused.
• 43'

   

  Stojkovic thumps the ball towards the edge of the Portugal penalty area, where Alves ends up sending it bouncing into the feet of Tadic. The winger then quickly tees up Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the bounce is awkward for the striker and, as a result, he can only send it well wide of the near post.
• 42'

   

  Yellow CardDanny
  Danny shoves Matic in the back and sends the Serbia defensive midfielder crashing to the ground, resulting in a free kick for the hosts near the halfway line. He then angrily contests the decision with the referee, resulting in a yellow card for dissent.
• 41'

   

  Aleksandar Mitrovic goes down, but nothing is given! Another good attacking move from Serbia ends with the striker in the middle of the penalty area, where he goes down under a challenge from Semedo. He screams for a penalty but the referee shakes his head and waves play on.
• 40'

   

  Serbia patiently work the ball around inside their own half of the pitch before a poor pass from Dusko Tosic sends it straight into the feet of Eliseu. The defender immediately gets down the left wing before curling a cross into the heart of the hosts' penalty area, but a dangerous attacking move is brought to an end by a dangerous high foot from Veloso.
• 38'

   

  Another great chance for Serbia! This time it's Ljajic who plays an excellent one-two with Aleksandar Mitrovic before bursting into the box and shooting, but his strike from a tight angle is pushed away by a strong save from Patricio.
• 36'

   

  Fantasic opportunity for Tadic! Matic picks up the ball in the middle of the pitch and immediately tees up Zoran Tosic, who flies forward on a brilliant run before teeing up the aforementioned Southampton winger. He bursts into the penalty area to meet the ball before unleashing a chipped shot, but he's put off by the presence of Fonte, who forces his domestic teammate into sending his strike over the top of the crossbar.
• 35'

   

  Once again, Kolarov does well to get down the left wing before cutting inside and teeing up Tadic. The winger twists and turns on the edge of the penalty area before trying to play a one-two with Zoran Tosic, but the latter's attempted pass is poor and ends up rolling out of play for a goal kick.
• 34'

   

  After spending the vast majority of the last 20 or so minutes on the back foot, Portugal are finally able to push forward on an attacking move. Eliseu breaks down the left wing before sending a dangerous low cross towards the edge of the six-yard box, but Nani isn't able to make decent contact with the ball and, as a result, his half-hearted shot bounces away from goal before being collected by Stojkovic.
• 32'

   

  Great play by Serbia! Aleksandar Mitrovic does wonderfully well to hold up the ball before spinning and teeing up Zoran Tosic, who is in acres of space down the right wing. He then cuts inside and beats two players before unleashing a thumping shot, but it's sent straight into the hands of Patricio in the middle of the goal.
• 30'

   

  Kolarov cuts inside from the left wing and draws Semedo away from Tadic, allowing the Southampton winger to then receive the ball in acres of space. He tries to find Aleksandar Mitrovic with a curling cross, but it takes a deflection off Fonte that sends it looping into the hands of Patricio.
• 29'

   

  The resulting set-piece is flung by Kolarov into the middle of the box, where it bounces around before the Portugal defence are just about able to clear the danger before a red shirt can get a shot away.
• 28'

   

  Yellow CardNelsinho
  Semedo breaks up a Serbia attacking move before trying to push forward quickly, but he loses possession and ends up bringing down Kolarov in frustration, resulting in a free kick for the hosts and a yellow card for the youngster.
• 27'

   

  Chance for Zoran Tosic! Kolarov does well to get down the left wing before sending a dangerous low cross towards the near post. It finds the aforementioned winger, who meets the ball with a slide but can only send it wide of the goal and out of play.
• 25'

   

  A poor pass forward from Fonte gifts the ball to Ljajic, but the attacking midfielder's first touch is poor and sends it back to the aforementioned defender, who then clears the danger with a thumping half-volley.
• 23'

   

  Serbia patiently pass the ball around near the halfway line before Kolarov tries to beat Nani on the left flank, but the winger stands firm and denies the Manchester City left-back a way through, resulting in a throw-in for the hosts.
• 21'

   

  Another good period of play by Serbia results in a free kick in a dangerous position, and this time it's as a result of a foul on Zoran Tosic by Andre. The set-piece is flung into the heart of the penalty area, where it finds the head of Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the striker's effort ends up looping over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
• 19'

   

  Serbia come back at Portugal quickly, with Matic showing good skill to get down the left wing before being fouled by Veloso near the byline. The resulting free kick is fired towards the near post, but it fails to beat the first man is comfortably dealt with by the visitors.
• 17'

   

  Kolarov and Tadic link up on the left flank before the latter tries to swing a cross into the penalty area, but his attempted pass ends up bouncing off Ljajic and into the feet of Danilo, who then blasts the ball away from danger.
• 15'

   

  Zoran Tosic picks up the ball in plenty of space in the middle of the pitch, and he spins quickly before teeing up Aleksandar Mitrovic. The striker then tries to tee up Tadic with a deft flick, but it's completely mishit and ends up missing the winger before reaching Patricio.
• 13'

   

  A poor miscontrol from Tomovic sends the ball bouncing into the path of Danny, who then tries to break into the Serbia penalty area, but his touch is also disappointing and, as a result, Stefan Mitrovic is able to dispossess him before he can do so.
• 11'

   

  Serbia control the ball well in the middle of the pitch before Kolarov tries to break down the left wing, but Quaresma does well to charge in front of the left-back to deny him the opportunity to push forward, forcing him into playing the ball back.
• 9'

   

  Tadic embarks on a brilliant run through the centre of the pitch, taking advantage of the space left by the Portugal midfield. The then tries to play a quick one-two with Ljajic on the edge of the penalty area but Fonte is just about able to cut out the danger at the vital moment.
• 7'

   

  Serbia win the ball back in the middle of the pitch before Milivojevic sends a lofted pass over the top of the Portugal defence and into the path of Tadic, but it's slightly overhit and misses the winger before bouncing out of play for a throw-in deep inside the visitors' half of the pitch.
• 5'

   

   

   

  GoalNani
  GOAL! Portugal have taken the lead! A header forward from Alves bounces into acres of space left between the Serbia midfield and defence, allowing Danny to pick up the ball completely uncontested. He then powers forward before unleashing a low shot that Stojkovic does well to stop, but he can only palm it into the path of Nani, who then tucks a shot away from close range.
• 3'

   

  Tomovic loses the ball in a dangerous position on the left flank before clumsily tripping Quaresma to the ground, resulting in a free kick for Portugal just outside of the penalty area. The aforementioned winger sends the set-piece towards the near post but it's underhit and fails to beat the first man.
• 2'

   

  Great start for Serbia! The hosts immediately break forward on an excellent attacking move, with Aleksandar Mitrovic muscling his way past three Portugal players before earning his side a corner on the right wing. It's flung into the middle of the penalty area, where it almost meets Dusko Tosic but ends up bouncing just past the outstretched foot of the defender.
• 1'

   

  And we're off! Serbia get us underway, attacking from right to left.
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  The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
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  Meanwhile, Portugal boss Fernando Santos has made seven alterations to the side that featured in the aforementioned win at home to Denmark, with Nelson Semedo, Jose Fonte, Eliseu, Veloso, Andre Andre, Ricardo Quaresma and Danny coming into the squad to replace Cedric Soares, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Bernardo Silva, Joao Moutinho, Tiago and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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  Radovan Curcic has decided to make just one change to the Serbia side that started against Albania on Thursday evening, with Branislav Ivanovic, who went off injured midway through the second half, making way for Dusko Tosic in the centre of defence.
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  Portugal substitutes: Neto, Moutinho, Eder, Rafa Silva, Eduardo, Mario, Bernardo Silva, Rui Fonte, Soares, Carvalho, Ventura.
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  Portugal XI (4-3-3): Patricio; Semedo, Alves, Jose Fonte, Eliseu; Pereira, Veloso, Andre; Quaresma, Danny, Nani.
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  Serbia substitutes: Sulejmani, Petkovic, Dmitrovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Gudelj, Skuletic, Obradovic, Fejsa, Brasanac, Rajkovic, Katai, Spajic.
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  Serbia XI (4-2-3-1): Stojkovic; Tomovic, Stefan Mitrovic, Dusko Tosic, Kolarov; Milivojevic, Matic; Tadic, Ljajic, Zoran Tosic; Aleksandar Mitrovic.
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  There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
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  As for Serbia, two injury-time goals helped them to a 2-0 win against Albania in a tense game in Elbasan three days ago, meaning that they have now won their last two consecutive competitive clashes for the first time in almost exactly four years. A disappointing campaign that was made even more so due to them being docked three points last year meant that their chances of qualifying for the final tournament were already over way before today, but they will nonetheless be looking to take advantage of a weakened Portugal side to claim a major scalp. If they do so, it will be the first time that they have ever beaten the Seleccao.
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  Thursday’s narrow win at home to Denmark, which was made possible by a second-half goal scored by Joao Moutinho, confirmed Portugal’s place in France next year, and, as a result, they head to Belgrade knowing that the job is done and the pressure is off. As such, coach Fernando Santos has already confirmed that several big names - including Ricardo Carvalho, Tiago and Cristiano Ronaldo - will be rested for this afternoon’s clash, allowing fringe players to impress their boss in what could be one of their last chances to do so before the final tournament kicks off in June.
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  Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Euro 2016 qualifying clash between Serbia and Portugal. My name is Ben Cullimore and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action from Stadion Partizana.