Agency, Nov 14: Germany secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Serbia in the UEFA Nations League on Friday night, keeping their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.
An own goal from Strahinja Pavlović, along with strikes from Florian Wirtz and Brajan Gruda, sealed the victory for Germany. Strahinja Pavlović scored Serbia’s only goal of the match.
Germany got off to a flying start when Pavlović inadvertently put the ball into his own net in the third minute. Wirtz doubled Germany’s advantage in the 14th minute, giving the visitors a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Brajan Gruda extended Germany’s advantage with a goal in the 50th minute. Pavlović pulled one back for Serbia six minutes later, but the hosts failed to mount a comeback.
Serbia’s task became even more difficult in the closing stages as they were reduced to nine players. Vanja Dragojević was sent off in the 74th minute before Andrija Živković also received a red card in the 89th minute.
The victory takes Germany to eight points from five matches, placing them third in Group A2, level on points with second-placed Greece. The Netherlands lead the group with 11 points and have secured their place in the quarter-finals.
Serbia remain bottom of the group without a point from five matches, with their relegation from League A confirmed.
