Serbia 1-2 Greece — Greece produced a disciplined and clinical away performance to defeat Serbia 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League on September 25, 2026. In a match that swung on momentum and fine margins, Greece came from behind to claim a valuable victory that strengthens their position in the group and hands Serbia a frustrating home defeat.

Greece fight back in Belgrade

Serbia began brightly in front of a passionate home crowd, using Aleksandar Mitrović as a focal point and looking to attack through Dušan Tadić and Dušan Vlahović. Their early pressure was rewarded when Mitrović converted from the penalty spot after a foul inside the box. Greece responded well, tightening their midfield and gradually taking control of possession. The equaliser arrived after the break when Giorgos Masouras found space on the edge of the area and struck low past the goalkeeper. With the game level, Greece grew in confidence, and Christos Tzolis completed the comeback with a composed finish late in the second half.

Match overview

The contest was a clash of styles. Serbia favoured direct attacks, crosses into the box and second balls, while Greece looked to build patiently through midfield and exploit space behind Serbia’s advanced full-backs. Serbia created chances but lacked precision in the final third after their opening goal. Greece, by contrast, became more dangerous as the match wore on, with Fotis Ioannidis and Tzolis stretching the defensive line. The winning goal came from a quick transition, exposing Serbia’s vulnerability when they committed bodies forward in search of an equaliser.

Key moments

• Serbia take the lead: Aleksandar Mitrović converted a penalty to put the hosts ahead.
• Greece equalise: Giorgos Masouras finished calmly after a well-worked attacking move.
• Late winner: Christos Tzolis scored the decisive goal on the counter-attack.
• Serbia pressure: Late crosses and set pieces were dealt with by a resilient Greek defence.

Tactical story

Serbia’s 4-2-3-1 often became a 4-2-4 in possession, with both full-backs pushing high and the midfield looking to feed Mitrović early. That approach worked initially but left gaps when moves broke down. Greece set up in a compact 4-3-3, pressing selectively and then dropping into a narrow block. Their midfield trio protected the back four well and forced Serbia into wide areas, where crosses were easier to defend. The decisive tactical moment came when Greece switched play quickly after winning the ball, catching Serbia short at the back.

Standout players

Christos Tzolis was Greece’s match-winner, combining pace with composure for the late goal. Giorgos Masouras provided energy and end product, while the Greek centre-backs stood firm under late pressure. For Serbia, Mitrović was a constant physical presence and scored the goal, but the team struggled to find a consistent creative spark after the break. Dušan Tadić showed flashes of quality, and Sergej Milinković-Savić worked hard in midfield, yet Serbia could not turn territorial pressure into a second goal.

What the result means

The win gives Greece a valuable boost in the UEFA Nations League standings and reinforces their reputation as a tough, organised side capable of getting results away from home. For Serbia, the defeat is a setback that leaves them needing a response in their next fixture. The head-to-head record between these two teams has often been competitive, and this 2-1 result will be remembered for Greece’s resilience and Serbia’s inability to close out the game. With group positions still to be decided, both sides will look closely at the top scorers and remaining results as the campaign progresses.