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England are taking on Serbia as their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign continues at the Marakana today.
Visiting captain Harry Kane scored the opener (33’) from a corner, heading in deftly from Declan Rice’s outswinger.
Noni Madueke doubled the lead just two minutes later (35’) to end a brilliant move after a superb Morgan Rogers flick.
England are top of of Group K with four wins from four and look well placed to continue that record now in Belgrade.
The ease with which England have unlocked Serbia’s previously stout ramparts is encouraging.
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55’ Serbia 0-3 England
Serbia had not conceded yet in World Cup qualifying before today’s match.
England still boast that same record.
A clean sheet will be high on the agenda for the rest of this match now.
53’ Serbia 0-3 England
… but the goal stands.
VAR just had a brief check of Guehi’s position as he knocked it across into Konsa’s path there after Petrovic pushed the ball out into danger.
Ezri Konsa makes it three, slotting home from a tight angle after Petrovic saved Declan Rice's shot from distance.
England now in a very comfortable position in the tie, and in the group.
51’ Serbia 0-3 England
And that all came from Declan Rice winning a free-kick in a dangerous area.
He played it short to Gordon, who cut inside and drilled a shot in which fell to Konsa after a deflection from Guehi.
Considering how poorly Serbia have played, it is surprising it's been around two years since a visiting side have won here.
Anyway, their two changes are unsurprising.
Luka Jovic will try to leave striker Dusan Vlahovic less isolated, with the swap seeing Andrija Zivkovic drop from attacking midfield to right wing-back.
On the other flank, the ineffective Birmancevic is off for Filip Kostic, the Juventus wideman I was a bit surprised not to see start.
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Second half underway here. Almost perfect first half from England. Two good goals and a dominant performance. Now it's a test of their maturity and experience if they can shut the game down and see it out.
45’ Serbia 0-2 England
We are back under way in the second half and we have a change of tactics from Serbia.
On come Kostic and Jovic for Nedeljkovic and Birmancevic.
And we are nearly ready to kick off in the second half in Belgrade.
There is definitely an easy case to be made for that flowing move leading up to Noni Madueke’s goal.
It is exactly the type of change of pace, flick around a corner and clinical finish that you need to unlock teams in a low block.
Credit to Madueke for executing the finish when there was still plenty to be done after picking the ball up out wide.
I've been disappointed by Serbia.
They have been pretty dour and unambitious in their shape, a pallid 5-4-1 which started off with some energetic pressing but quickly faded.
The second goal was a nice move but the first was poor marking from a set piece, traditionally a Serbian strength.
And in attack? They've offered very, very little other than a counter-attack after a slack Anderson pass and a few wild shots well over.
Moreover, the bear pit of the Marakana has been more of a teddy bear house so far as the noise really died down after the one-two punch of the two England goals.
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… but as Thomas Tuchel said before the game when asked if his team were lacking in experience, the only way they build it is by giving them chance to play.
And so far, some of the newer faces in this team have really looked good tonight.
It has been patient, steady and effective from England.
Noni Madueke appealed heartily for the official credit after his cross was nodded in by an Andorran defender on Saturday.
No dice, own goal.
But he has his first goal at senior international level now, and just look what it means to him.
Choosing a player of the half for the first 45 minutes is no easy feat with Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke and Morgan Rogers all shining.
The link up between Rogers and Madueke has been pretty crucial to England taking their lead… expect all three to have influence after the break.
… and that’s half-time!
They had to be patient but England are looking solid here and will enter the break feeling good after those goals from Kane and Madueke.
45’ Serbia 0-2 England
Just one minute added on at the end of the half…
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44’ Serbia 0-2 England
Not long to go until half time and there is more confidence about England now, in the knowledge that they have successfully broken down this Serbia block.
For all their discipline, the hosts had two lapses of concentration and Tuchel's side were able to make their quality pay.
40’ Serbia 0-2 England
That was for a pull on Nedeljkovic.
Gordon has been pretty effective so far, with some lovely driving runs.
38’ Serbia 0-2 England
There’s a brief pause after Ezri Konsa complained about a laser being shone onto the pitch, which allows Gordon and Rice to get some water on board, but we are back underway soon enough.
The referee Clement Turpin ran to the sideline to pass on a message, with a PA system used a few minutes later, presumably to warn against using lasers in future.