Serbia 1–3 Germany: Wirtz and Gruda keep Klopp's quarter-final hopes alive

Germany earned the victory they needed in Belgrade without resolving every qualification question. Jürgen Klopp's side beat Serbia 3–1 on Friday, taking an early lead through a Srđan Babić own goal before Florian Wirtz and Brajan Gruda scored. Babić replied for Serbia in the second half, but the hosts' challenge ended with two dismissals. The result moved Germany to eight points in Nations League Group A2 and set up a high-stakes finale against the Netherlands in Berlin.

The opening quarter-hour was the most decisive period. Germany had warned before the match that Serbia could be more aggressive at home than in their October meeting in Munich. Instead, the visitors forced the first breakthrough almost immediately: a Kai Havertz attempt was diverted into Serbia's net by Babić in the third minute. Wirtz added another in the 14th. Germany's strong start changed the tactical incentives for both teams, leaving Serbia required to pursue the game and the visitors able to exploit the spaces that followed.

Germany's pressing produces an early advantage

Klopp had emphasised aggressive ball recovery in his pre-match remarks, and the first-half pattern rewarded that approach. Rather than waiting for Serbia to settle into controlled possession, Germany pushed the ball into advanced areas and attacked quickly. Wirtz's contribution mattered beyond his goal: his movement and ability to receive between midfield and defence created a central outlet when the visitors won possession. An own goal may have supplied the first breakthrough, but the lead was not protected through passive defending.

Germany arrived with selection questions after Waldemar Anton's withdrawal, and the coaching staff had altered the defensive unit for this game. The victory provides evidence that the team could maintain structure despite those changes. It should not, however, be treated as proof of a solved back line: Serbia showed after the break that direct play and awkward conditions could still make the match untidy.

Gruda extends the lead before Babić gives Serbia a lifeline

Brajan Gruda scored early in the second half, making it 3–0 in the 50th minute and celebrating his first senior international goal. Six minutes later Babić scored at the right end to reduce the deficit. That pairing of events captured the mixture of confidence and imperfection in Germany's display. A seemingly commanding three-goal advantage still left them needing to respond to Serbia's renewed effort. Germany captain Joshua Kimmich later praised the first-half performance while noting that long balls and the deteriorating pitch made the second period harder to manage.

The hosts' task became increasingly difficult as discipline collapsed. Vanja Dragojević was dismissed after a VAR intervention in the 76th minute and Andrija Živković was sent off following a second caution late on. Serbia ended with nine players, leaving little basis for a late recovery. Germany's win was thoroughly earned, but the match should be understood in its full sequence rather than presented as a scoreline that was comfortable from beginning to end.

The Netherlands game now carries the real stakes

The Netherlands demolished Greece 7–0 in Amsterdam on the same evening, taking them to eleven points. Germany and Greece both stand on eight after five games. UEFA's head-to-head rules leave Germany behind Greece in the current ordering, despite the Dutch rout, so victory over Serbia alone did not secure a quarter-final place. A win against the Netherlands on Monday would transform Germany's position; the Greece–Serbia result will also shape the final qualification picture.

For Serbia, the defeat confirms relegation from League A and closes a difficult group-stage campaign without points from five matches. The returns of prominent attackers did not prevent the opening collapse, and two dismissals compounded an already poor position. Their final match against Greece still carries consequences for the sides chasing quarter-final places, even if Serbia's own survival is no longer possible.

BetLogic verdict

Germany accomplished the necessary first half of a demanding two-match finish. Wirtz and Gruda added cutting edge to an energetic start, while the own goal reflected pressure applied immediately. Klopp will welcome both the three points and evidence that younger attacking players can shape an international result. The remaining uncertainty is real: the decisive evaluation of Germany's campaign will come in Berlin, not from a convincing score against the bottom team.