Thanks to a goal from Eintracht Frankfurt’s Philippe Costic, the Serbian national team won 2-2 (0-2) against European champions Portugal in the home championship. The winger scored in the 60th minute. Diego Jotta (11, 36) had previously scored a brace for the Portuguese. Alexander Mitrovic (46.) made the connection halfway through. After the second day of Group A, both teams have four points each.

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In the first half, the hosts were under Portuguese control. Liverpool midfielder Jota, who preferred Frankfurt striker Andre Silva in the attack, has justified his choice. The Reds newcomer was notable after every cross from Bernardo Silva (11). Cristiano Ronaldo and company punished repeated inadequacies into the passing game of the Serbs.

But the brake management did not do well against the German EM rival. 26 seconds after the resumption, Fulham striker Mitrovic took the lead after a cross from Nemanja Radonchik. Serbia seemed to wake up suddenly, and Portugal trembled tremendously – substitute Costic had to equalize in the 72nd minute, before Ronaldo missed a free kick two minutes earlier. Countless things no longer jumped on either side after the caustic gate. But a red card: Nikola Milenkovic (90 + 2) sent off after a violent attack on Danilo Pereira in midfield. Just before the final whistle there was a big problem: a shot from Ronaldo was saved on the Mitrovic line – at least in the opinion of the referee team. Controversial decision as TV pictures prove.

Belgium trailed Mancini star Kevin de Bruyne 1-1 (0: 0) against the Czech Republic in Prague. FIFA is even behind the world number one check. Lucas Provod (fiftieth) gave the hosts the lead. The dominant Belgians equalized through Romelu Lukaku (60th). Both teams had won their first qualifiers and now have four points each.

The Czechs, who won their first qualifier against Estonia 6-2, were initially unimpressed by the Belgians’ star power. After appearing brave in the first half, Provod rewarded the live hosts with a powerful shot to the right corner and the opening goal – Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois had no chance. The Red Devils from Belgium, who had the ball more times throughout the game, equalized ten minutes later through Lukaku.

Other results of Saturday’s World Cup qualifiers:

Slovakia – Malta 2: 2 (0: 2)

Ireland – Luxembourg 0: 1 (0: 0)