Serbia have qualified for Euro 2024 – their first Euros finals berth as an independent nation – after a nervy 2-2 home draw against Bulgaria in their final Group G game on Sunday.
Dragan Stojkovic’s side knew a point would be enough, even if Montenegro beat already-qualified Hungary. Montenegro, the third-placed team in the group, went ahead in Budapest but lost 3-1. Serbia, meanwhile, fell behind in the second half before Srdjan Babic made certain of qualification with a late leveller.
It had looked straightforward for the hosts when Milos Veljkovic headed home to open the scoring in the 16th minute, but fans in Leskovac began to feel the nerves after Slobodan Rubezic’s first-half strike for Montenegro about 500 miles away.
Bulgaria, bottom of the group and seeking their first win, fought back in the second half with Georgi Rusev levelling in the 59th minute with a fine finish. Kiril Despodov, who had hit the bar in the first half, stunned the home crowd 10 minutes later as he lifted the ball over Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to put the visitors ahead.
Thankfully for Serbia, news quickly came through that Dominik Szoboszlai had scored twice in two minutes to put Hungary in front. Babic then headed home from close range in the 82nd minute to earn a draw and allow the celebrations to start.
Hungary finish top on 18 points with Serbia on 14. Montenegro came third with 11 points but cannot make the playoffs, with places awarded based on Nations League performance. Bulgaria end with four points, in last place, behind Lithuania on six points.