Ruthless Arsenal lads crush Serbia's World Cup dreams in another England's clean-sheet win
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 14.11.25. | 08:51
Saka's first-half and Eze's second-half goals killed the Eagles at Wembley, as the Three Lions demonstrated their class once again - 2-0
Even when in a match with no bearing on the standings, England play to win, professionally do their job, and, most importantly, they triumph.
Serbia experienced it firsthand tonight at Wembley, and although they needed at least a point to stay in the race for second place in Group K, they couldn't surprise the Three Lions, which emerged victorious 2-0.
Stars of the show were Arsenal lads, Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, who netted in the 28th and 90th minutes, respectively, securing new three points for the Three Lions, which have yet to concede in the qualifiers.
At the same time, Serbia's World Cup dreams were shattered, as Albania qualified for the playoffs with a 1-0 win over Andorra.
England maintain their perfect record in World Cup Qualifying 👏
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 13, 2025
Goals from Bukayo Saka and Ebere Eze give the Three Lions victory over Serbia 🦁 pic.twitter.com/gP42zsH7td
The crowd at Wembley had to wait until the 25th minute to see an attempt on target, as Marcus Rashford shot straight into the Serbia keeper Predrag Rajkovic's hands.
However, Barcelona's forward's effort was only the introduction to the opener, which England scored two minutes later.
Declan Rice took a free-kick, and Rajkovic punched the ball straight back into play. The debutant Nico O'Reilly's shot was blocked, but Bukayo Saka's rebound ended up in Serbia's bottom-right corner, putting the Three Lions in front.
O'Reilly felt no pressure because of the debut, as he hit the post four minutes before the break, when his strike deflected off Aleksandar Stankovic. England were awarded a corner kick, after which Harry Kane's header went narrowly wide of the post.
The visitors created their only opportunity in the penultimate minute of the opening half, when Filip Kostic finished a well-rehearsed play following a free kick with a shot, but Jordan Pickford reacted superbly, keeping his team in the lead at the break.
The fact that Jude Bellingham entry in the 65th minute, when Real Madrid star replaced Rashford, was the first notable moment in the second half, speaks volumes about the game's pace after the break. Even though the Englishmen were still in control, Serbia had the first so-so chance over Dusan Vlahovic, but Juventus striker finished a counterattack poorly.
The visitors' new head coach Veljko Paunovic tried to mix things up and pursue the leveller with several offensive subs, while Thomas Tuchel's men could play a relaxed game and wait for the rivals' error that could lead to their second goal.
And they awaited such a situation in the 87th minute, but Eberechi Eze's close-range shot crashed against the bar with a slight help of Rajkovic, maintaining a small doze of uncertainty in the match.
Nevertheless, it lasted for only three more minutes, as Arsenal forward this time found top-left corner, after a hasty counter initiated by Phil Foden. This way Eze set the final score, netted 20th goal for England in the qualifiers, and crushed Serbia's World Cup dreams.
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - EUROPE
Thursday
Armenia - Hungary 0-1 (0-1)
/Varga 33/
Azerbaijan - Iceland 0-2 (0-2)
/Gudmundsson A. 20, Ingason 39/
Norway - Estonia 4-1 (0-0)
/Sorloth 50, 52, Haaland 56, 62 - Saarma 65/
Andorra - Albania 0-1 (0-0)
/Asllani 67/
England - Serbia 2-0 (1-0)
/Saka 28, Eze 90/
France - Ukraine 4-0 (0-0)
/Mbappe 55 pen, 83, Olise 76, Ekitike 88/
Moldova - Italy 0-2 (0-0)
/Mancini 88, Esposito 90+3/
Republic of Ireland - Portugal 2-0 (2-0)
/Parrott 17, 45/
