England made extremely light work of what was expected to be their toughest test in World Cup qualifying to date on Tuesday night. The Three Lions went to Belgrade for a crunch Group K showdown with Serbia, hoping to produce a statement performance amid a hostile atmosphere to move a big step closer to next summer’s tournament and give the Thomas Tuchel reign lift off after a series of underwhelming performances.
Though he had won all of his first five competitive matches in charge, England had yet to properly convince under the German, with two laboured wins over minnows Andorra sandwiching a shock friendly defeat at home by Senegal. However, a fine riposte was issued to Tuchel’s early critics as his side more than rose to the challenge at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi all scored their first senior international goals in a 5-0 rout, to go along with efforts from Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford.
Serbia have now been overtaken by Albania as England’s closest rivals in the group, with Tuchel’s men seven points clear at the summit with just three qualifiers remaining, starting against Latvia in Riga next month.
Serbia vs England highlights
- GOAL! Rashford fires in late penalty for No5
- NO GOAL! Watkins effort ruled out for offside
- GOAL! Guehi prods in fourth from Rice free-kick
- RED CARD! Milenkovic dismissed for foul on Kane
- GOAL! Konsa smashes in third after half-time
- GOAL! Madueke adds quick-fire second
- GOAL! Kane heads in opener from Rice corner
Serbia 0-5 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:42 , George FloodFull-time
What a night for Thomas Tuchel and England.
GOAL! Serbia 0-5 England | Marcus Rashford (pen) 90'
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:36 , George Flood90 mins: Cool as you like from Rashford, who wins a battle of wits with Petrovic easily as we enter stoppage time.
A five-star England performance in Belgrade.
Wow.
Serbia 0-4 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:35 , George Flood89 mins: Referee Clement Turpin is sent to the pitchside monitor and quickly points to the spot.
Rashford to step up for number five...
Serbia 0-4 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:34 , George Flood86 mins: England with a late shout for a penalty after Rashford tees up Watkins, who is taken down by Erakovic.
That looked stonewall, not given.
There is a VAR check.
Serbia 0-4 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:29 , George Flood81 mins: GOAA... NO!
England denied a fifth as Bowen waltzes through in the box and Watkins turns in at the back post.
The offside flag is up.
Serbia 0-4 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:28 , George Flood79 mins: Milos Veljkovic is on for Serbia.
Zivkovic off.
Serbia 0-4 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:27 , George Flood79 mins: Rice won’t get his goal tonight as he forces Petrovic into another save and is then replaced by Jordan Henderson.
Jarrod Bowen and Ollie Watkins have also replaced Madueke and Kane.
Serbia 0-4 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:25 , George Flood78 mins: England want more with Spence looking bright on debut and Petrovic pushing away a fierce drive from Rashford.
Serbia 0-4 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:24 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings
Set-Piece FC.
Serbia 0-4 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:24 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith
Well it's a rout now, and Guehi scores his first international goal too. Horrible night for Serbia. Superb one for England.
GOAL! Serbia 0-4 England | Marc Guehi 75'
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:21 , George Flood75 mins: The 10 men are quickly punished!
Guehi beats his marker to prod through the legs of Petrovic from a Rice free-kick.
What a result for England.
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:18 , George Flood70 mins: ITV report that the earlier crowd issue was a political row between pro and anti-Government figures.
Milenkovic has now cleaned out Kane and been sent off!
From bad to worse for Serbia, who had sent on Aleksandar Mitrovic for Vlahovic.
Was that denying a goalscoring opportunity?
Looked harsh, but VAR won’t intervene.
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:16 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings
Great for Djed Spence to make his debut and the fact he's on at right-back underlines his value.
He has been excelling at left-back for Tottenham, but can play both sides.
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:14 , George Flood68 mins: Djed Spence is coming on for his senior England debut now, with Marcus Rashford also introduced as Thomas Tuchel looks to his bench for the first time tonight.
Off go James and Gordon.
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:13 , George Flood66 mins: Rice is taking every opportunity to have a pop here, but Serbia keep flinging bodies in his path.
Corner conceded off the face of Pavlovic, which Rice will go over to take with a little round of applause for the England support.
Serbia clear.
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:11 , George Flood65 mins: Pavlovic takes on Madueke down the Serbia left, but his cross/shot is fizzed over the crossbar.
A bit of a miscommunication between Pickford and Anderson follows, but no harm done in the end.
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:10 , George Flood63 mins: Some sort of crowd issue has unfolded with riot police streaming into the stadium.
It’s in a stand housing only Serbia fans, well away from the travelling England support.
Hopefully now under control.
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:08 , George FloodKonsa and Madueke both registering their first senior England goals tonight.
Tuchel will love to see it!
A THIRD goal 👊🏴
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 9, 2025
And it's Ezri Konsa with his FIRST England goal 🙌 pic.twitter.com/x1F86JS5JF
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:06 , George Flood60 mins: Another change from Serbia on the hour mark.
Ilic is replaced by Lazar Samardzic.
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:05 , George Flood57 mins: We’ve had a break in play after Zivkovic was hurt during an innocuous looking tussle with Gordon.
He receives treatment and eventually we are back underway.
Tuchel using the opportunity to impart some further wisdom on a team that have now gone more than 10 hours without conceding in a competitive game.
Quite some feat!
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:01 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings
Tuchel spoke on Saturday night about the value of set-pieces, and we are seeing it here.
Serbia 0-3 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 21:01 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith
Konsa has played more minutes for Tuchel's England than any other centre-back.
He has a goal to show for it now, and England have a very healthy lead.
GOAL! Serbia 0-3 England | Ezri Konsa 52'
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:58 , George Flood52 mins: The Three Lions are running riot in Belgrade!
Gordon cuts inside and sees a shot parried by Petrovic.
Neither Guehi or Kane can turn in the rebound, but Konsa is there to smash home at the back post.
This will be checked for a potential offside in the build-up. Kane I think.
GOAL GIVEN!
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:57 , George Flood50 mins: Rice again has a go from outside the box after good work from James and Madueke, who is terrifying this Serbia defence.
This time it’s blocked, with the busy Rice now fouled by Ilic.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:55 , George Flood49 mins: Already more adventure from Serbia in the early stages of this second half, with Guehi and Konsa both making alert interventions around the England box.
Rice rolls his foot over a squared Madueke pass and then drags a low shot wide of Petrovic’s far post.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:54 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings
That was England's best 45 minutes under Tuchel, but I am intrigued to see what they do from here.
Do they kick on and go for it? Or try to see this out?
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:53 , George Flood47 mins: Nothing doing for Serbia with a decent free-kick opportunity in the early stages of the second period.
Forest vs Forest there as Anderson is left hobbling following a strong challenge by Serbia captain Milenkovic.
He’ll shake it off.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:51 , George FloodThe players are back out for the second half at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
Luka Jovic and Filip Kostic are both coming on for Serbia, who had to change something.
Birmancevic and Nedeljkovic off.
Back underway.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:49 , George FloodConfirmation at half-time that it was the use of a laser pen that led to a tannoy warning.
It was flashed at James when he prepared to take a free-kick and straight into the eyes of Konsa when he was on the ball.
Hopefully we’ll see no more of that.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:41 , George FloodProbably not the best idea to leave Harry Kane unmarked inside the box...
HARRY KANE PUTS ENGLAND AHEAD 👏🏴
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 9, 2025
Declan Rice with the delivery, Harry Kane with the goal 🎯 pic.twitter.com/sruPgZmh9G
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:40 , George FloodSumptuous flick from Rogers and the coolest of Madueke finishes.
What a goal.
Noni Madueke has his first England goal and it's a BEAUTY 👏🏴
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 9, 2025
Appreciation for the Rogers flick on 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/FEbaGjiMzh
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:35 , George FloodHalf-time
The best 45 minutes of Thomas Tuchel’s England reign so far.
They have been positive, decisive, on the front foot and pretty ruthless with their opportunities.
Serbia have offered very little in response.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:34 , George Flood46 mins: Finally some freedom for Vlahovic on the edge of the England box, but he blasts over and fails to trouble Pickford.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:33 , George FloodJust the single minute added on at the end of this first half.
Thomas Tuchel will be absolutely thrilled at the moment.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:33 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith
England in cruise control at the moment, 2-0 up and comfortably dominating possession.
Plenty can still happen, but it would be quite an achievement to find a way not to win the game from here.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:30 , George Flood40 mins: Gordon receives England’s first booking for pulling down Nedeljkovic.
A rare Serbia counter-attack comes to nothing as half-time looms.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:29 , George Flood39 mins: Serbia are all over the place at the moment and need half-time.
The referee has just come over to the fourth official, I think there is a laser being flashed onto the pitch from the stands.
That second whistle is proving distracting too.
Now a warning comes over the tannoy.
The laser was shone in the faces of both James and Konsa.
Serbia 0-2 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:26 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings
That touch from Morgan Rogers, wow. That's as fluid an England goal as we have seen for a while.
Gordon and Rogers, two of Tuchel's changes tonight, have brought this game to life.
Playing with the impetus that England need.
GOAL! Serbia 0-2 England | Noni Madueke 36'
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:23 , George Flood36 mins: A quick-fire double from England!
Anderson finds Rogers, who plays an exceptional flick into the path of Madueke.
The Arsenal winger charges into the box and finishes so coolly with a lofted effort beyond Petrovic.
That’s what Tuchel wants to see.
A first England goal for Madueke.
Serbia 0-1 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:23 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith
The deadlock is broken, and from a familiar source.
Kane has to stoop for it, but you wonder, from a Serbia perspective, why England's record goalscorer is left unmarked.
Quiet against Andorra, he has his goal now.
England ahead in Belgrade and they certainly deserve it.
GOAL! Serbia 0-1 England | Harry Kane 33'
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:21 , George Flood33 mins: Rice’s latest corner from the right is headed in expertly by an unmarked Kane, who picks out the bottom corner.
England deservedly ahead in Belgrade as their mounting pressure tells.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:19 , George Flood30 mins: It’s taking a while for this free-kick with Rice, Madueke and James all in the vicinity, with the latter eventually crashing the ball into the wall.
Kane appeals for a penalty for handball, not given.
I think that was Maksimovic. You’ve seen them given...
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:18 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith
England started very well but must keep that tempo up.
Well done to Anthony Gordon for taking the reins on that front.
He forces Petrovic into a good save.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:17 , George Flood29 mins: Gordon forces another save before Kane is pulled down by Lukic just outside the Serbia box.
Yellow card for the Fulham midfielder.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:17 , George Flood28 mins: Gordon is poleaxed before England attack at pace through Rogers, but Kane just can’t turn home Madueke’s deflected cross at the back post.
Somehow a goal kick is given, much to the captain’s frustration.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:14 , George Flood26 mins: Gordon runs at the Serbia defence, cutting in off the left nicely and forcing a punched saved by Petrovic.
Tuchel is then frustrated as James is harshly penalised for a foul.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:13 , George Flood24 mins: Kane tries to pull off a bicycle kick after linking up with Gordon amid a strong block from Serbia captain Milenkovic, of Nottingham Forest.
There is a second whistle coming from the crowd that may lead to some confusion.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:11 , George Flood23 mins: Better from England, with James’ crossing again their best weapon of attack.
He again aims for the back post, where Rice is unable to head back across the six-yard box after attentive defending from Erakovic.
A long ball intended for Gordon is then picked up by Petrovic.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:09 , George Flood21 mins: It’s all a bit one-paced and pedestrian from England again faced with a familiar low block.
Serbia have 11 men behind the ball and look very well-drilled.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:07 , George Flood20 mins: Serbia clear their lines more confidently this time and then launch another swift counter, with England looking vulnerable.
The home crowd erupt after a determined spell of pressing high up the pitch pays off.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:06 , George Flood18 mins: Not entirely convincing from England defending that corner, with Nedeljkovic trying his luck from range with a deflected low strike that is easily held by Pickford.
England race forward on the counter and James’ latest wicked cross intended for Rogers is seen behind by Pavlovic.
Another England corner coming up.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:04 , George Flood15 mins: Serbia are now enjoying their first real spell of possession of the night, though a lofted ball swung out to the left is overhit for Birmancevic - who looks to be sporting a pink Alice band tonight.
Rice concedes a corner.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:01 , George Flood13 mins: England stay patient in possession, probing for an opportunity before a loose pass from Anderson has Serbia pouring forward on the counter-attack.
However, the danger is quickly averted.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 20:01 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings
A good start from Anderson, who has picked up where he left off on Saturday.
Once again he's right at the base of midfield, getting on the ball as much as he can.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:58 , George Flood10 mins: Another cross is repelled and it’s all very congested on the edge of that Serbia box as England go back to reset.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:57 , George Flood8 mins: England are keeping the ball well and James earns the night’s first corner after some alert defending inside the box from Pavlovic.
Rice’s delivery from the right is flicked away, but only as far as Livramento.
England’s attack is still alive...
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:55 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith
A first shot on target for England as Rice jinks inside and forces a save.
England showed good patience in that attack but moved it quickly. They must stick to that formula.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:54 , George Flood6 mins: Good early pressure from England as a dangerous cross from James to the back post causes panic in the Serbia defence.
The hosts can’t clear their lines and Rice’s low drive from the edge of the box is easily held by Petrovic.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:52 , George Flood4 mins: Madueke is looking really lively early on here and he beats Birmancevic all ends up down the England right before going down under pressure from the Sparta Prague man inside the box.
Never a penalty, though.
Birmancevic is trying to gee this crowd up even further.
Serbia 0-0 England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:50 , George Flood2 mins: England are all in white tonight, with Serbia all in blue for the first time in a long while.
Madueke is involved early and he’s taken down by Birmancevic.
Rice’s free-kick delivery into the box is easily headed away.
Serbia vs England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:47 , George FloodA minute’s silence ahead of kick-off in memory of the late Dobrivoje Tanasijevic - former Brentford chairman.
Quite the atmosphere as we get underway in Belgrade.
Can England stand up to the test?
Clement Turpin of France is the referee, with Willy Delajod on VAR duty.
Serbia vs England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:42 , George FloodThat didn’t take as long as expected, to be fair.
A nice presentation for Mitrovic ahead of kick-off after he earned his 100th cap for Serbia.
Now it’s time for the national anthems, starting with God Save the King.
Around 2,500 England fans have made the trip to Belgrade tonight.
Serbia vs England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:38 , George FloodThe players have started that incredibly long walk from the dressing rooms to the pitch, though that intimidating 73-metre tunnel.
They should arrive in a few minutes!
'Big night ahead for Morgan Rogers'
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:35 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Simon Collings
Feels like a big night for Morgan Rogers.
Eberechi Eze struggled in that advanced playmaker role on Saturday and so he drops out.
In the absence of Jude Bellingham, someone needs to step up.
'England face first serious test under Tuchel'
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:31 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith
This is England's first serious test of Tuchel's reign tonight, and it's also a match in which they come up against a side on a seven-game unbeaten run.
Serbia are in good form and know they must win tonight if they're to have any realistic hope of finishing top of Group K above England.
The Three Lions last lost a World Cup qualifier in October 2009.
Tuchel frustrated by lack of Serbia 'risk'
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:29 , George FloodThomas Tuchel confirms in his pre-match interview with ITV that England are playing the same 4-2-3-1 formation tonight.
He is frustrated by Serbia appearing to opt for a 4-5-1, with Dusan Vlahovic on his own up front and Aleksandar Mitrovic and Luka Jovic both on the bench.
He says he hoped for more risk from the hosts, who usually play two strikers, rather than them deploying the same defensive system as most of England’s other opponents in the group.
Also more backing for Elliot Anderson and confirmation from Tuchel that England are fully aware of the three-step UEFA protocol regarding any potential racist abuse from the stands tonight.
It’s interesting to note that there are only four players starting for England tonight that also started against Serbia in last summer’s opening game at Euro 2024.
They are Jordan Pickford, Marc Guehi, Declan Rice and Harry Kane.
Otherwise it’s all change, albeit with the likes of match-winner Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer all out injured.
Tuchel's massive show of faith in Elliot Anderson
Tuesday 9 September 2025 19:07 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith
It is a significant vote of faith in Elliot Anderson by Thomas Tuchel to name him in the starting lineup tonight for such an important job.
At the beginning of this camp, we heard the England manager say he felt Anderson was more of a No8, which is the position he also sees Declan Rice in.
What England most need, though, is a No6 alongside Rice, and that was the role he fulfilled against Andorra.
A tougher task to start there tonight against much better opposition in Serbia. Can he do it?
The England players make their way through that aforementioned intimidating long tunnel at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
It’s certainly unique!
Four Serbia changes with Mitrovic and Jovic on bench
Tuesday 9 September 2025 18:48 , George FloodSerbia also show four changes from the side that beat Latvia 1-0 in Riga on Saturday.
Dusan Vlahovic is the lone frontman with both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Luka Jovic on the bench, the latter replaced by Veljko Birmancevic, who supports the striker along with Andrija Zivkovic.
Strahinja Erakovic and Kosta Nedeljkovic come into the defence, with Nemanja Maksimovic drafted into midfield.
Out go Milos Veljkovic, Aleksandar Katai and Filip Kostic.
Serbia lineup
Tuesday 9 September 2025 18:39 , George FloodAnd here’s how the hosts shape up under Dragan Stojkovic...
Serbia XI: Petrovic, Erakovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic, Maksimovic, Nedeljkovic, I Ilic, Lukic, Birmancevic, Zivkovic, Vlahovic
Subs: Rosic, V Ilic, Gudelj, Jovic, Mitrovic, Kostic, Veljkovic, Babic, Stulic, Racic, Samardzic, Katai
Four England changes with Guehi fit to start
Tuesday 9 September 2025 18:29 , George FloodSo that’s four changes from Thomas Tuchel to the England team that started Saturday’s 2-0 win over Andorra at Villa Park.
Marc Guehi is deemed fit enough to retain his place in defence after a groin issue, with Dan Burn making way for Ezri Konsa as his centre-back partner.
Tino Livramento is preferred to the uncapped Djed Spence at left-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly left out, while Elliot Anderson keeps his spot in midfield alongside Declan Rice after an impressive debut at the weekend.
In attack, Eberechi Eze and Marcus Rashford make way for Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon.
England lineup
Tuesday 9 September 2025 18:21 , George FloodThe official teamsheet has dropped and here’s how Thomas Tuchel lines up in Belgrade tonight...
England XI: Pickford, James, Konsa, Guehi, Livramento, Rice, Anderson, Madueke, Rogers, Gordon, Kane
Subs: Quansah, J Henderson, Eze, Rashford, Burn, D Henderson, Spence, Gibbs-White, Loftus-Cheek, Watkins, Bowen, Trafford
Inside the Serbian horror tunnel facing England: 'It feels a mile long’
Tuesday 9 September 2025 18:18 , George FloodThe Rajko Mitic Stadium is perhaps best known for its 73-metre tunnel that England’s players must pass through tonight en route from the dressing rooms to the pitch.
As Standard Sport’s Dom Smith notes, its walls are full of red and white graffiti, drawn by Red Star Belgrade ultras, featuring googly eyes staring down at them.
The walk from the dressing room is 240m in total, the tunnel and the rest of the interior largely unchanged from when the stadium was built in 1963.
Red Star fans are called the ‘Delije’, the brave ones, and their stand is directly above the tunnel.
And just above? A decommissioned Yugoslav T-55 tank, on display in the stadium forecourt.
Stage is set
Tuesday 9 September 2025 18:10 , George FloodThe pre-match scene is set at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where England have never visited before.
In fact, their only previous meeting with Serbia as an independent nation came last summer in their opening group stage match at Euro 2024, when Jude Bellingham’s early header secured a nervy 1-0 victory for Gareth Southgate’s eventual beaten finalists in Gelsenkirchen.
UEFA's three-step protocol on racist behaviour
Tuesday 9 September 2025 18:02 , George FloodWe very much hope that it will not be needed tonight, but given the discussion around it in the build-up to the game, you might need a reminder on UEFA’s established three-step protocol when it comes to racist behaviour.
Per UEFA’s official website...
Step one
“If the referee becomes aware of racist behaviour, or is informed of it by the fourth official, he will stop the game.
“He will then request an announcement to be made over the public address system asking spectators to immediately stop any racist behaviour.”
Step two
“If the racist behaviour does not cease after the game has restarted, the referee will suspend the match for a reasonable period of time, for example, five to ten minutes, and request teams to go to the dressing rooms.
A further announcement is made over the public address system.”
Step three
“As a final resort, if the racist behaviour continues after a second restart, the referee can definitively abandon the match.
“The UEFA delegate responsible for the match will assist the referee, through the fourth official, in determining whether the racist behaviour has ceased.
“Any decision to abandon the match will only be taken after all other possible measures have been implemented and the impact of abandoning the match on the security of the players and public has been assessed.
“After the match, the case is referred to UEFA's disciplinary authorities.”
Kane: England players prepared to walk off if racially abused
Tuesday 9 September 2025 17:49 , George FloodThomas Tuchel said he hopes tonight’s game will be “respectful”, while captain Harry Kane has insisted that England’s players are prepared to walk off the pitch if they are subjected to racist abuse.
“Yes, we had a similar situation in Bulgaria (in 2019),” Kane said at his pre-match press conference in Belgrade last night.
“UEFA have the protocols in place for us to follow. We know the steps, we know the situation.
“We're talking about something that's not happened yet.
“We'll take everything in our stride, everything as it comes. We're clear in what we want to do.
“Let's just see what happens. We're more focused on Serbia as a team and how we can hurt them.”
Tuchel said: “The people in charge of the FA talked to us, so we are aware.
“And, still, I always believe in the good, so I always believe that we will have a high-level sporting competition and celebrate the sport for what it is.
“We are aware of the protocol, but I don’t want to put a big focus on it, because I believe in the beauty of the game, that we can have a respectful match.”
Serbian FA urge fans to behave
Tuesday 9 September 2025 17:42 , George FloodHere is that statement from the Football Association of Serbia (FSS), urging fans to clean up their act after repeated sanctions for fan misconduct in recent years.
The 51,755-capacity Rajko Mitic Stadium - home of Red Star Belgrade - will see its capacity reduced by 15 per cent tonight as a result of racist chanting in the game against Andorra in June.
“We appeal to supporters to send out an image to the world that will make us all proud,” the FSS wrote.
“UEFA has long ago proclaimed a list of prohibited items (signs, symbols, flags, sounds, chants, political slogans…) that are subject to sanctions and strict penalties.
“In the past five years (2021 – 2024/25), the FA of Serbia has been fined 703,375 Euros by UEFA and FIFA for various prohibited items, insults, and discrimination in the stands during the matches of the best national team and other national selections.
“This amount is only about 30,000 Euros less than the total fines for the previous 14 years, namely the period from 2006-2020.
“The national team is our pride, we have no other, and it deserves support befitting such important matches.
“We wish to emphasise the value and need for support that contributes to creating a positive atmosphere at the stadium.
“Let us be united in our love for football, support our national team in the right way, show respect for the opponent and their national anthem.
“Let the match against England be a celebration of sport and respect between rivals and nations.”
Serbia vs England prediction
Tuesday 9 September 2025 17:31 , George FloodIt was slightly better fare from England at the weekend, which is hardly saying much given how turgid they were against Andorra and Senegal in June.
They looked more fluid at times at Villa Park, but the killer final ball was almost always lacking and more decisiveness was needed from the likes of Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Marcus Rashford in particular.
It was a game from which Thomas Tuchel will ultimately have learned very little, but that should not be the case in Belgrade.
While not world-beaters, and having laboured to a low-key win of their own on Saturday, Serbia are on paper the most difficult opponents in England’s group and typically strong at home as a hostile atmosphere awaits.
Perhaps facing an opponent more likely to attack them will bring the best out of a Three Lions team repeatedly frustrated by sides that pack 11 men behind the ball.
It feels like England need an impressive performance here with a bit more imagination and flair to quell the naysayers who have been less than satisfied with Tuchel’s reign so far.
But we’re predicting a cagey affair that may well be high on tension and noise levels, but ultimately low on goals, chances and quality in the final third.
Draw, 1-1.
Serbia team news
Tuesday 9 September 2025 17:28 , George FloodSerbia are not believed to be dealing with any new injury concerns, with only goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic a notable absentee as Bournemouth’s Djordje Petrovic prepares to deputise once again.
Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic scored the winner against Latvia in Riga on Saturday as he started alongside Luka Jovic, though you’d expect Aleksandar Mitrovic to return to Dragan Stojkovic’s starting XI this evening.
Serbia’s squad also includes the likes of Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic and Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic.
England team news
Tuesday 9 September 2025 17:22 , George FloodEngland are without some key stars due to injury during the season’s first international break, including Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer.
John Stones withdrew from the squad before Saturday’s 2-0 win over Andorra at Villa Park with a muscle issue, following Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
Marc Guehi is expected to be fit to play after dealing with a groin issue since the weekend.
It’s been oddly quiet in terms of pre-emptive reports on tonight’s starting XI so far, with Tottenham’s Djed Spence hoping to make his senior England debut and the likes of Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon also pushing to start.
Tuchel has a squad of 24 players and can only name 23 on a matchday, with first-time call-up Jarell Quansah the odd man out at the weekend.
But tonight it’s Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, who started and played 90 minutes at left-back on his fourth cap against Andorra.
How to watch Serbia vs England
Tuesday 9 September 2025 17:15 , George FloodTV channel: Serbia vs England will be broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Live stream: Those with a TV license can follow the action live online via the ITVX app and website, which is free with a registration.
Serbia vs England live
Tuesday 9 September 2025 17:12 , George FloodEngland are in Belgrade tonight to face Serbia in what is anticipated to be their most difficult test so far in World Cup qualifying under Thomas Tuchel.
One of European football's most hostile atmospheres awaits at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where the Three Lions' 100 per cent start to competitive action in Group K under their new manager is likely to be sorely tested.
Tuchel has called on his players to stand up to the emotional and physical challenge as he seeks a statement performance and result that would see England take a huge step towards booking their place at next summer's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
But unbeaten Serbia will have watched those laboured performances against Andorra (x2) and Senegal and very much now fancy their chances of throwing a spanner in the works to boost their own qualification hopes, with hopefully no further crowd trouble after the country's FA pleaded with fans to behave after the previous incidents that sees the stadium's capacity reduced by 15 per cent this evening.
Kick-off is at 7:45pm BST, so stay with us for plenty of match build-up, breaking team news and live game updates, with expert analysis from Standard Sport's England reporters Simon Collings and Dom Smith.
