Belgium won the practice match against Serbia. in Leuven, national coach Domenico Tedesco’s team won 1-0 thanks to an early goal by Yannick Carrasco. Belgium has already managed to qualify for the 2024 European Championship, while Serbia has a very good chance of also participating in the tournament.
The match couldn’t have started better for Belgium. A dramatic ball from Strahinja Pavlovic was intercepted by Carrasco, who eventually shot the ball into an empty goal: 1-0. Barely a minute later it could have been 2-0, had goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic not had an answer this time.
Serbia had little to say in the opening phase and did not create much for the goal of Mats Sels, the replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois. Dusan Vlahovic thought he had a chance, but to his frustration the decisive pass to him was not good. On the other hand, Openda used his speed to create a good opportunity. Rajkovic had an answer.
On the other hand, Serbia also suddenly came close. Former Heerenveen trendsetter Filip Djuricic fired a shot that hit the post. The game started and Belgium should also have scored. Openda approached the goalkeeper and shot, but the former Vitesse star took just a little too little time to round Rajkovic.
PSV player Johan Bakayoko was substituted at the start of the second half and saw from the bench that opportunities were becoming scarcer. The well-playing Olivier Deman tried halfway through the second half. He cut his man from a shot, but came across Rajkovic, who was also playing strongly.
Belgium remained the dominant party after the break. It led to an excellent opportunity twenty minutes before the end. Leandro Trossard gave a good pass to Michy Batshuayi, who saw Rajkovic reach his goal just in time. Batshuayi still managed to get a shot on the rebound, but Rajkovic was ready again.
Serbia, where Dusan Tadic came on in minute 66, did not give up and showed more and more attacking intentions towards the end of the game. Once again Djuricic came very close. The creative shot from close range, hit the crossbar and could hardly believe it. The last chance was for Pavlovic, who reached high, but headed wide.