Germany secured a 3-1 victory against Serbia on Friday night in Belgrade, setting up a decisive UEFA Nations League clash with the Netherlands.
Germany capitalized on an early breakthrough at the Marakana stadium when Maximilian Mittelstädt delivered a third-minute corner that Kai Havertz headed toward goal. The attempt deflected off Malick Thiaw and Serbian defender Srdan Babic into his own net, according to match reports.
Florian Wirtz doubled the advantage in the 14th minute. Aleksandar Pavlovic capitalized on a defensive slip to find Havertz inside the penalty area, and although the Arsenal forward lost his duel with goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Wirtz collected the loose ball to chip the Serbian keeper for a 2-0 lead.
Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp surprised observers by selecting Jonathan Tah and Malick Thiaw in central defense instead of Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck. Klopp explained on RTL that he anticipated persistent long balls from the Serbian side, noting that Milinkovic-Savic could launch clearances with immense power.
RB Leipzig right-winger Brajan Gruda made his senior international debut, becoming the 11th player introduced to the national team under Klopp since his appointment in late July. Gruda accelerated past the Serbian defense at the start of the second half to score Germany’s third goal in the 50th minute.
Babic pulled a goal back for Serbia in the 56th minute to make it 3-1. The hosts finished the match with nine men following late red cards shown to substitutes Vanja Dragojevic in the 74th minute and Andrija Zivkovic in the 89th minute.
The result leaves Germany with eight points in Group B, trailing the Netherlands by three points after the Dutch defeated Greece 7-0 in Amsterdam. Germany holds the head-to-head scenarios and can secure direct qualification to the quarterfinals with a win against the Netherlands on Monday night at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, regardless of other results.
A draw could also suffice for Germany if Greece loses to Serbia simultaneously. Friday’s fixture in Belgrade was played behind closed doors for the general public, with only 5,000 accompanied children under 14 permitted by UEFA following disciplinary sanctions against the Serbian federation.
- Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
- Venue: Red Star Stadium (Marakana), Belgrade
- Goalscorers: Srdan Babic (3′ og), Florian Wirtz (14′), Brajan Gruda (50′) / Srdan Babic (56′)
- Next Match: Germany vs. Netherlands on Monday night at the Olympiastadion in Berlin
Earlier coverage: Germany Defeats Serbia 3-1 to Set Up Nations League Group Finale
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