England's path to the 2026 World Cup was thrown into turmoil after a shocking and dramatic 2-1 defeat to a resilient Serbia in Belgrade. Gareth Southgate's side, after a dominant first-half display, spectacularly unravelled in the second period, leaving their automatic qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
A Dream Start Turns into a Belgrade Nightmare
The match began as a script written for English glory. Captain Harry Kane continued his phenomenal goalscoring form, calmly slotting home a first-half penalty to give the Three Lions a commanding lead. England controlled possession and tempo, seemingly on course for a vital three points.
The Second-Half Collapse
However, the game transformed after the break. Serbia emerged with ferocious intensity, and England's composure evaporated. The equaliser, a powerful header from towering defender Strahinja Pavlović, shifted the momentum entirely. The decibels inside the Rajko Mitić Stadium reached a fever pitch, and England had no answer.
The winner was a devastating blow. A swift Serbian counter-attack carved open the English defence, culminating in a precise finish that sent the home crowd into delirium and silenced the travelling supporters.
Southgate's Qualification Quandary
This result is a monumental setback for Gareth Southgate. Questions will now be asked about his side's mentality and ability to see out games against physically aggressive opposition. The defeat means automatic qualification is no longer in England's hands, placing immense pressure on the remaining fixtures.
The inquest into this second-half capitulation will be long and painful. For Serbia, it was a historic and deserved victory born of sheer determination. For England, it was a night that turned their World Cup mission from a straightforward journey into a perilous struggle.
