Football
Group Stage 2016
SRB 
1
FT
 DEN
3
PA Sport 9y

Serbia 1-3 Denmark

Denmark eased the pressure on coach Morten Olsen with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Serbia in Group I of the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
A draw against Albania and defeat against Portugal had raised questions about the side's performances, and the absence of Lasse Schone and captain Daniel Agger through injury only increased Olsen's problems going into a tricky away trip.
When Serbia, making their first appearance since their last qualifier against Albania ended in abandonment and chaotic scenes, took a fourth-minute lead through Zoran Tosic, those problems intensified.
But Denmark made a determined response and two goals in the space of three minutes flipped the game on its head as Nicklas Bendtner levelled and Simon Kjaer headed them in front in the 63rd minute.
Bendtner then wrapped things up with a third goal with five minutes remaining.
Serbia made a flying start as Zoran Tosic found the net only four minutes in, coolly finishing from Nemanja Gudelj's lay-off inside the area.
But the hosts then spent the rest of the first half firmly on the back foot as Denmark pressed forward in waves.
Bendtner fired wide before Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic tipped Lasse Vibe's shot around a post.
Vibe then saw another chance charged down by Dusko Tosic before Milan Bisevac got in a crucial block on Thomas Kahlenberg's shot.
The pressure continued after the break with Christian Eriksen drilling a shot narrowly wide and then going even closer as his shot crashed back off the crossbar five minutes into the second half.
Bendtner headed wide before Stojkovic clawed another Eriksen effort away, but the pressure was about to pay off.
First Bendtner levelled from close range on the hour mark.
And, with Serbia still catching their breath, Denmark stole the lead as Kjaer headed in Nicolar Boilesen's free-kick.
Serbia were close to an immediate response, but Danko Lazovic's shot came back off the crossbar.
Still, the initiative was with Denmark.
Bendtner blazed over, while Michael Krohn-Delhi saw his shot blocked by Branislav Ivanovic as Serbia were pegged back.
Stojkovic denied Vibe in the 75th minute, getting a strong hand to push clear his shot from the edge of the area.
Bendtner wrapped up the victory with his second of the night, firing into the bottom left corner from Krohn-Dehli's cross, although it may have come at a price with the striker's celebrations muted before he was substituted moments later.
ends

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