Germany celebrate crucial victory against Serbia

Germany pulled off another vital victory on matchday five of the UEFA Nations League.

Jürgen Klopp's side, who had previously registered just one win under their new national team boss, cruised to a comfortable 3-1 win against a Serbia team that was reduced to nine men by the final whistle.

The goals for the visitors came courtesy of an own goal by Serbian defender Babic (3'), Liverpool star Florian Wirtz (14'), and DFB debutant Brajan Gruda (50'). Srdjan Babic scored for Serbia (56').

In pouring rain, the DFB team enjoyed a dream start to the behind-closed-doors match in Belgrade—where only children under 15 were permitted into the stadium.

In the third minute, Mittelstädt swung a precise corner into the box, where Havertz rose highest. Babic deflected his header into his own net, putting the visitors 1-0 up.

Germany clearly dominant

The early lead visibly eased the tension for the Germans. Klopp's men were by far the superior team, as the hosts struggled to match their energy and pace, repeatedly looking overwhelmed defensively.

In the 14th minute, Florian Wirtz deservedly made it 2-0: Pavlovic played a perfectly timed through ball to Havertz, whose shot was parried to the side by Serbia goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic. The ball fell to Wirtz, who slotted it home.

Germany went on to create several more promising scoring opportunities, but failed to add another goal. In the first half, the visitors boasted 86 percent possession and thoroughly dominated the encounter. Serbia headed into the dressing room without registering a single shot on goal.

Gruda scores on DFB debut

After the restart, Germany picked up right where they left off in the first half. Leipzig star Brajan Gruda marked his senior international debut with a sensational solo run to make it 3-0.

Out of nowhere, however, Serbia managed to pull one back: Following a free-kick cross from playmaker Tadic, Ter Stegen denied Gudelj's effort, but the ball landed at Babic's feet, and he tucked it away to make it 1-3.

Serbia shown two red cards

Buoyed by the goal, the hosts improved and injected some tempo into their play. First, Cvetkovic squandered a golden chance to reduce the deficit to 2-3, before Ter Stegen kept out a Mitrovic header. In between, Germany winger Scherhant struck the post.

In the 76th minute, however, Serbia were dealt a major blow: substitute Dragojevic was shown a straight red card following a reckless challenge on the ankle of DFB captain Kimmich.

No further goals were scored on Friday evening, sealing a 3-1 win for the visitors. Shortly before the final whistle, Serbia's Zivkovic lost his cool, with the Greece-based winger also receiving a red card for dissent.

Showdown against the Netherlands

Despite the victory, Germany remain third in Nations League League A Group 2, as second-placed Greece, level on points, hold the head-to-head advantage over the DFB team.

The final group game against the Netherlands in Berlin has effectively become a winner-takes-all showdown for Joshua Kimmich and company to secure a place in the semi-finals. Serbia remain bottom without a point and are already confirmed to finish last.