UEFA Nations League – Wirtz scores as Germany defeats Serbia 3-1

In another key match of the fifth round of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League Group B, Germany, playing away, defeated Serbia 3-1 thanks to an own goal, as well as goals from Wirtz and Gruda.

Three minutes into the game, Mittelstädter took a corner kick, and Havertz attempted a header. Serbian defender Srgen Babic then inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net while attempting to clear it, giving Germany a dream start with a 1-0 lead.

In the 14th minute, Aleksandar Pavlovic played a long pass, and Havertz followed up with a shot, but it was saved by Serbian goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic. Wirtz then followed up and scored, giving Germany a 2-0 lead over Serbia. In the 19th minute, Gruda crossed from the penalty area, and Havertz headed the ball towards goal, but it posed no threat.

In the 28th minute, Alexander Pavlovic passed the ball to Wirtz, whose shot was blocked by an opposing player. In the 32nd minute, Germany had a free kick opportunity; Havertz took the shot directly, but the ball hit the wall. In the 37th minute, Kimmich took a free kick, and Jonathan Tah's header went wide.

In the 42nd minute, Serbia attempted a counter-attack, with Stefan Zodic receiving the ball and shooting, but the shot was cleared. In the 43rd minute, Kimmich received a pass from Wirtz outside the penalty area and took a long-range shot, but the ball was blocked by an opposing player.

In the 50th minute of the second half, Kimmich made a through pass, and Groda received the pass near the center circle and charged into the penalty area before unleashing a long-range shot that found the back of the net, extending Germany's lead to 3-0.

In the 56th minute, Dušan Tadic took a free kick, Stefan Gudelj headed the ball towards goal, but it was saved by German goalkeeper Ter Stegen. Srjan Babic then followed up and scored, helping Serbia pull one back to 1-3. In the 59th minute, Dušan Tadic passed the ball to Cvetkovic, whose shot went wide of the post.

In the 63rd minute, Germany launched a passing combination, and Kimmich received the ball at the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a long-range shot that found the back of the net. However, Havertz was offside, and the goal was disallowed. In the 74th minute, Germany's Amphifoul Kluge replaced Havertz.

In the 76th minute, Kimmich was stepped on by Dragojevic when he tried to receive the ball. After VAR intervention, the referee showed Dragojevic a red card. In the 83rd minute, Mittelstädter took a corner kick, and Malik Ghaf's shot went wide.

In the 89th minute, Zivkovic fouled an opponent and received a yellow card. He was subsequently shown a second yellow card and sent off for protesting the decision, leaving Serbia with only nine players to continue. In stoppage time of the second half, Schörhant chipped a pass to Füllkrug in the penalty area, but his shot went over the bar.

In the end, Germany defeated Serbia 3-1 away from home.

Image source: Internet