One header in the fifth minute of stoppage time changed everything. Anastasios Douvikas rose at the edge of the six-yard box and buried Kostas Tsimikas' cross into the high center of the net, completing a 2-1 comeback that put Greece top of Group A2 and left Serbia without a point from their League A opener.
The Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade held roughly 5,700 spectators, but the late drama felt loud enough to echo far beyond the sparse crowd. Serbia had led since the fourth minute, controlled the scoreboard for 86 minutes, and still walked off beaten.
Živković strikes early before Greece take control
Andrija Živković gave Serbia the dream start. Sergej Milinković-Savić played a ball over the top to Dušan Tadić, whose cross into the penalty area was skillfully diverted into the net by Živković in the fourth minute. The veteran playmaker's return to the national team was immediately stamped with an assist.
But the opening goal did not set the pattern. Greece finished with 61 percent possession and out-shot Serbia 26 to 9, nine of those efforts on target to Serbia's four. The visitors pressed, probed, and eventually forced the hosts into mistakes as the second half wore on.
Tzolis levels before Douvikas completes the turnaround
Christos Tzolis drew Greece level in the 74th minute. Vangelis Pavlidis set him up, and Tzolis capitalized on open space inside the attacking third to curl a strike into the far opposite corner past the Serbian goalkeeper.
Pavlidis had earlier seen a second-half goal ruled out for offside, a reprieve that could have deflated Greece. Instead, they kept pushing. With the match deep into stoppage time, Tsimikas chased down a clearance near the byline and sent in a cross to the edge of the six-yard box. Douvikas arrived on cue and headed the winner into the high center of the net.
The result delivered Greece their first victory in League A of the UEFA Nations League and their first win across all competitions in 2026. It also placed them at the top of Group A2 after the group's other match between the Netherlands and Germany ended in a draw.
Paunović's first test ends in frustration
For Serbia, the defeat came in Veljko Paunović's first competitive match as head coach. The home side scored early, defended for long stretches, and ultimately could not hold on against sustained Greek pressure. Two yellow cards to Greece's one reflected a home team forced into fouls as the visitors dictated the tempo.
The early lead masked a disjointed attacking display. Serbia mustered only nine total shots compared to Greece's 26, and the possession gap told the story of a side chasing shadows for much of the night. Tadić's return provided a spark, but it was not enough to sustain a result.
Serbia sit fourth in Group A2 with zero points, while Greece lead the group with three. The pressure now shifts to Paunović's side ahead of their next fixture, needing to prove this late collapse was an aberration rather than a warning sign.
Match Information
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Date & Time: Thursday 24 September 2026, 20:45 CET
Venue: Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade
Referee: Glenn Nyberg
