UEFA Nations League First Half: Jovic Misses a Golden Opportunity; Serbia – Spain

Key Events: In the 34th minute, Zivkovic delivered a precise through ball, but Jovic, facing an excellent one-on-one opportunity, shockingly pushed his shot wide, missing a golden chance to score. Match Report

On September 6 at 2:45, the first round of Group D in League A of the UEFA Nations League saw Serbia host Spain.

In the 6th minute, Serbia created a threat on the counterattack. Samardzic, after calmly feinting past the defender inside the box, had his shot blocked, and Zivkovic’s follow-up shot from outside went high. In the 18th minute, Nico and Yamal simultaneously arrived at the right side of the penalty area for a combination play. Nico’s through ball saw Yamal unable to deliver a cross under Pavlovic’s interference. In the 21st minute, Peruz committed a tactical foul by tripping Milenkovic in midfield, receiving a yellow card. In the 24th minute, Yamal, after switching to the left flank, dribbled past several players before laying off a pass. Zubimendi’s long-range shot from outside the box was too straight, allowing Rajkovic to easily collect it. In the 27th minute, Carvajal received a yellow card for a fierce tackle on Pavlovic. In the 30th minute, Nico, cutting inside from the left, feinted past Samardzic before his curling shot from outside the box went just over the bar. In the 37th minute, Nico broke through at the edge of the penalty area and laid off the ball. Ruiz’s left-footed long-range shot narrowly missed the right post. In the 41st minute, Pavlovic, after a high-speed run down the left wing, was fouled from behind by Yamal, who received a yellow card. In the 43rd minute, Bicanic retaliated by fouling Yamal and received a yellow card.

At halftime, Spain and Serbia are temporarily tied 0-0.

Player Lineups

Serbia starting lineup: 1-Rajkovic; 4-Milenkovic; 16-Erakovic; 3-Pavlovic; 14-Zivkovic; 10-Lukic; 7-Bicanic; 17-Ilic; 11-Samardzic; 2-Nedelkovic; 8-Jovic

Substitutes: 23-Jovanovic; 12-Ilic; 6-Babic; 13-Terzic; 5-Simic; 20-Grujic; 19-Beric; 18-Đ. Jovanovic; 21-Mitrovic; 9-Ratkov; 22-Aleksic

Spain starting lineup: 1-Raya; 2-Carvajal; 14-Laporte; 22-Cucurella; 3-Le Normand; 8-Ruiz; 10-Olmo; 6-Zubimendi; 17-N. Williams; 19-Yamal; 15-Perez

Substitutes: 13-Reymundo; 23-Sanchez; 12-Grimaldo; 4-Pau Torres; 16-Mingueza; 18-Garcia; 5-PepeLuis; 20-Pedri; 7-Pino; 9-JoseLu; 21-Oyarzabal; 11-Torres