The Serbia national football team and the England national football team have met numerous times on the international stage. Although these two countries have different football traditions, their matches are often intense and full of drama. Here’s a timeline of key encounters and moments between Serbia and England.
Pre-1992: The Yugoslav Era
Before Serbia became an independent footballing nation, it was part of the Yugoslav national team. England and Yugoslavia faced each other on several occasions. The most memorable moments include:
- 1958 World Cup (June 11, 1958): England and Yugoslavia faced off in the group stages of the 1958 FIFA World Cup held in Sweden. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, but both teams advanced to the knockout stages.
- 1968 European Championship (June 5, 1968): Yugoslavia defeated England 1-0 in the semi-final of the European Championship, a major setback for the English side. The match was intense, with Dragan Džajić scoring the only goal to send Yugoslavia to the final, where they eventually lost to Italy.
1992-2006: Post-Yugoslavia Era
After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbia formed a new national team, initially playing as part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992-2003) and then as Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006). Despite these changes, the team continued to compete at the highest levels of international football.
- October 16, 2002 (Euro 2004 Qualifier): England and Serbia & Montenegro (then still playing as Yugoslavia) were drawn into different qualifying groups for major tournaments, meaning they did not meet often during this period.
- World Cup 2006: Serbia and Montenegro qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, but the two teams were not drawn in the same group. England made it to the quarter-finals, while Serbia and Montenegro exited in the group stage after losing all their games.
2006-Present: Independent Serbia
After the dissolution of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, Serbia became a fully independent football nation. The rivalry with England became more direct, with both teams meeting in various qualifiers and friendlies.
- September 2009 (U21 European Championship): The England U21 team met Serbia’s U21 team during the 2009 UEFA U21 European Championship qualifiers. The match was marred by controversies over racist chanting directed at England players by some sections of the Serbian crowd. England won the match, and the incidents led to fines and sanctions by UEFA.
- 2012 (U21 European Championship): Another heated encounter occurred during the 2012 U21 European Championship qualifier, where England’s players were again subjected to racist abuse from sections of the Serbian crowd. England won 1-0, but the post-match events overshadowed the victory, leading to heavy criticism and fines against the Serbian Football Association.
- 2014 FIFA World Cup (Qualification Campaign): Despite both teams participating in the qualifiers, Serbia and England were not drawn in the same group. England eventually qualified for the World Cup in Brazil, while Serbia missed out on the tournament.
- 2022 FIFA World Cup (Qualification Campaign): In the qualification process for the 2022 World Cup, Serbia and England were once again in different groups. Serbia went on to qualify for the tournament by defeating Portugal in the last game of their group, while England cruised through their qualification group, setting up possible encounters in the World Cup itself.
Head-to-Head Record
Despite their encounters on the youth and senior levels, Serbia and England’s senior national teams have rarely faced each other in competitive matches. Much of the rivalry stems from the teams’ meetings at the U21 level and off-field issues rather than the results of high-profile senior team matches.
- Total Matches: As of 2024, Serbia and England have only met a few times at the senior level. Most of these matches have ended in victories for England, with Serbia managing some draws.
- Most Memorable Matches: The semi-final of Euro 1968 between Yugoslavia (which included Serbian players) and England remains a significant historical moment, with Yugoslavia knocking England out of the tournament.
The Future of the Rivalry
As of 2024, the rivalry between Serbia and England continues to simmer, particularly in youth and qualifying matches. Serbia’s football development has improved over the years, producing talented players who compete in top European leagues. As both teams aim for more significant success on the world stage, future matchups in European Championships and World Cups could become even more intriguing.
Serbia and England’s footballing journeys may differ in many respects, but the competitive spirit between the two nations ensures that their encounters remain fascinating. Football fans from both sides look forward to future meetings, hoping for more dramatic and memorable moments.
