PORTUGAL threw away a two goal lead in Belgrade as Cristiano Ronaldo threw his captain’s armband on the floor.
The biggest name in the sport was raging after a last-minute goal that clearly looked over the line was NOT GIVEN by officials, which would have given Portugal a 2-2 lead.
- FINAL SCORE: Serbia 2-2 Portugal
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THAT’S ALL FROM THE RAJKO MITIC STADIUM
What a fantastic game of football but all the talking points were right at the death.
Portugal found themselves two up before half-time through two Diogo Jota headers and the result was beyond doubt at that point.
But whatever Dragan Stojkovic said to his players at the interval, must have worked because they got a goal within 30 seconds of the restart.
And it was a goal scored by Aleskandar Mitrovic which was his 39th in Serbian colours, making him the out-and-out top goalscorer for the nation.
The home team’s tails were up and it wasn’t long before the substitute Nemanja Radonjic picked out Filip Kostic for the equaliser.
Serbia would continue to put more pressure on the Portuguese but there was a sense of cautiousness from both sides resulting in the match fizzling out.
Until Milienkovic decided to get himself sent off in stoppage time after a reckless challenge on Danilo Pereira.
And then if that wasn’t controversial enough, Ronaldo thought he had the ball in the back of net moments later but the referee was adamant that it never crossed the line.
The Portuguese marksman threw down his captain’s armband in frustration but after seeing the replays, you can see why.
Maybe people won’t complain so much about VAR now.
Thank you for sticking with me tonight, enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Credit: EPA RONALDO’S STATEMENT
The Portuguese skipper took to Instagram to express his feelings towards the incident.
Ronaldo said: “Being captain of the Portugal national team is one of the greatest pride and privileges of my life. I give and will always give my all for my country, that will never change, but there are difficult moments to cope especially when we feel like an entire nation is being harmed. Head up and face the next challenge! Come on Portugal!”
RON OUT OF LUCK
Can anyone guess Ronaldo’s mood when his goal was ruled out?
Credit: EPA Credit: EPA
RESULTS AROUND EUROPE
There were some shock results tonight but the pick of the bunch is Ireland’s defeat to Luembourg.
The World Cup qualifiers is the gift that keeps on giving.
NEXT UP
Serbia travel to Azerbaijn on Tuesday 30th March.
As for Portugal, they’ll be hoping to forget about tonight when they travel to Luxembourg on the same day.
UNBELIEVABLE
The whole of Portugal right when they realise that Cristano Ronaldo’s goal should of stood.
UPDATED QUALIFIYING CHART
A draw means that the table stays the same at the top but Luxembourg’s shock win over the Republic of Ireland puts fires them right up the table.
FULL TIME STATS
The Eagles started off the game slowly and didn’t control the ball as much as Portugal but they were more effective in their play which is why Serbia had more shots on goal.
STALEMATE
Portugal will feel hard done by but for both teams to share the spoils seems about right.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
WHAT AN END TO THE GAME THAT WAS!
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL!
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
90+3. First of all Nikola Milenkovic slid in recklessly on Danilo Pereira and was sent off rightfully so.
And then Bernardo Silva took a quick free-kick finding Ronaldo in acres of space at the back-stick.
He then hit it on the volley past the keeper and the ball rolled slowly towards the goal.
But Stefan Mitrovic scrambled back and scooped it off the line.
However, the Portuguese captain felt that it had crossed the line and threw his armband down in anger when the ref waved play on.
OH MY OFF THE LINE!
CRISTIANO RONALDO CAN’T BELIEVE IT!
WHERE IS VAR WHEN YOU NEED IT?!
RED CARDDDDDDDDDDDDD!
SUCH A SILLY CHALLENGE!
SERBIA’S NIGHT ENDS SOUR!
THREE MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!
CAN SOMEONE STEAL IT?!
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
88. Renato Sanches ran the length of the field showing an incredible burst of speed.
But he ran out of space and Portugal are running out of time.
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
87. Huge round of applause for the record breaking Aleskandar Mitrovic as he makes way for Luka Jovic.
This will be a night he remembers forever.
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
85. The tempo of the game has slowed down with both teams lacking quality in the final third.
But you feel as if someone could sneak a winner here.
FANTASTIC FILIP
Filip Kostic celebrating the equaliser which stunned everyone in the Portuguese ranks.
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
80. Another roll of the dice for Serbia.
Filip Djuricic comes on for the captain Dusan Tadic and Mihailo Ristic replaces Filip Kostic.
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
76. There’s a bit more urgency in Portugal’s play now having being under pressure for large periods of the second half.
Fernando Santos won’t be happy with how his team surrendered the lead.
But he’ll know that there is enough quality on the field for his players to snatch the three points.
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
74. Ronaldo hasn’t got his shooting boots on tonight.
The captain picked up the ball from the left-hand side before cutting in and shooting.
But the shot went well wide leaving his team-mates in frustration.
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
72. The Portuguese head coach is introducing some fresh faces himself.
Joao Cancelo who has struggled this second half comes off for Nuno Mendes.
And Renato Sanches replaces Sergio Oliveria.
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
67. Dragan Stojkovic made two subs in Maksmimovic and Radonjic, both having major impacts on the game so far.
It sets this one up for a fantastic finish.
MITROVIC THE MARKSMAN
Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrating the goal which inspired Serbia’s comeback.-
Serbia hit Portugal on the counter attack with some tiki-taka style football.
The ball was then played through to Filip Kostic and once he got into the one-one-one position, the winger slipped it under Lopes.
Inspirational come-back from the home side and now it is really game on.
SERBIA 2-2 PORTUGAL
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
