Serbia’s Under-17 national team opened its qualifying campaign for the 2027 UEFA European Under-17 Championship with a 3–1 victory over Bulgaria on November 12 in Portugal.
Filip Lazović and Mihajlo Banković scored in the first half, while substitute Pavle Prijović sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal.
The match was originally scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed because of severe weather. Despite the disruption, Radovan Krivokapić’s team began the tournament with three important points.
Lazović and Banković Put Serbia in Control
Serbia took the lead in the 17th minute when Lazović found the net. Twelve minutes later, Banković doubled the advantage, sending Serbia into halftime with a comfortable 2–0 lead.
Bulgaria responded in the second half, reducing the deficit to 2–1 in the 70th minute, shortly after Prijović entered the game as a replacement for Banković.
With the match approaching its conclusion, Prijović scored in the first minute of stoppage time to secure Serbia’s 3–1 victory.
Krivokapić, who previously guided Serbia to the semifinals of the 2022 European Under-17 Championship in Israel, is now looking to lead another generation of young Serbian players toward a major international tournament.
Serbia Faces Andorra Before Crucial Match Against Portugal
In the other Group 6 opening match, host nation Portugal defeated Andorra 4–0.
Following the first round, Serbia and Portugal both have three points, with Portugal leading the group on goal difference.
Serbia’s remaining schedule is:
- November 14: Serbia vs. Andorra
- November 17: Serbia vs. Portugal
The top two teams in each qualifying group will advance to League A of the second qualifying round, while the remaining teams will move to League B.
The second qualifying round is scheduled for spring 2027 and will determine the seven teams joining host Latvia at the European Championship finals, scheduled for May 24 through June 6, 2027.
The competition will also serve as a qualifying pathway for the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
With an opening victory already secured, Serbia has put itself in a favorable position heading into its next two matches. The upcoming encounter with Andorra will be important before the group-stage showdown against Portugal, which could determine the final standings in Group 6.
