Serbia U21 3-0 Iraq U23: Young Eagles Soar in Friendly Triumph

Serbia U21 delivered a commanding performance to defeat Iraq U23 3-0 in an international friendly on September 29, 2026. Goals from Marko Lazetić, Nikola Čolić, and Jovan Mijatović highlighted a dominant display that will give the coaching staff plenty of encouragement.

The match served as valuable preparation for both sides, with Serbia sharpening their squad ahead of upcoming qualifiers and Iraq gaining experience against European opposition.

Match Overview

Serbia U21 took control from the opening minutes, pressing Iraq U23 high and forcing turnovers. The breakthrough came in the 12th minute when Lazetić latched onto a through ball and finished calmly. Serbia doubled their lead in the 29th minute through Čolić, who headed home from a corner.

Iraq U23 showed flashes of promise on the counter-attack but struggled to contain Serbia’s fluid attacking play. The third goal arrived in the 63rd minute, Mijatović curling a shot into the top corner after a neat exchange on the edge of the box. The remainder of the match was controlled by Serbia, who saw out the victory comfortably.

Key Moments

• 12th minute: Marko Lazetić opens the scoring with a cool finish.
• 29th minute: Nikola Čolić doubles the lead with a powerful header.
• 63rd minute: Jovan Mijatović adds a third with a beautiful curling effort.
• 78th minute: Iraq U23’s best chance falls to their striker, but the Serbia goalkeeper makes a fine save.

Tactical Story

Serbia U21 lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with a focus on quick, vertical passing. Their midfield duo controlled the game, allowing the attacking trio to rotate and find space. The full-backs provided width, often overloading Iraq’s defence. The high press was effective, leading to numerous turnovers in dangerous areas.

Iraq U23 set up in a 4-4-2, looking to absorb pressure and hit on the break. However, they struggled to maintain possession and were often pinned back. Their defensive shape was disrupted by Serbia’s movement, and they found it difficult to cope with the pace of the game.

Standout Players

Marko Lazetić (Serbia U21): Opened the scoring and was a constant menace with his runs. His hold-up play brought others into the game.

Jovan Mijatović (Serbia U21): Came off the bench to score a superb goal and added energy to the attack. He looks like a player with a bright future.

Ali Jasim (Iraq U23): The winger was Iraq’s most dangerous player, using his pace to trouble Serbia’s defence on a few occasions.

What It Means

For Serbia U21, this friendly was an ideal opportunity to build confidence and test combinations ahead of their upcoming competitive fixtures. The convincing win will please the coaching staff, who saw their team dominate from start to finish.

Iraq U23, meanwhile, will take lessons from the defeat. Facing a strong European side provided valuable experience for their young players, and they will look to improve defensively in their next outing.