In a decisive encounter, Spain defeated Serbia 3-0 at the Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal, solidifying their qualification for the upcoming World Cup without the need for playoffs. Mikel Oyarzabal was the standout player, scoring two of the three goals, while Rodri made his first start for Spain since 2024.
The match kicked off at 8pm GMT (4pm ET) and was streamed for free in Spain via RTVE Play, while viewers in the UK could watch it on Amazon Prime for £2.49. In the US, the match was available on ViX, with subscriptions starting at $5.99.
Spain’s victory is a testament to their strong performance in World Cup qualifiers, contrasting sharply with Serbia’s recent struggles, as they missed out on a playoff spot by just a single point. This match not only showcased Spain’s attacking prowess but also highlighted the challenges faced by Serbia in their qualifying campaign.
Oyarzabal’s brace was complemented by a solid team performance, with young talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri contributing to the overall success. The match served as a crucial preparation for Spain as they look ahead to their next friendly against Egypt on the following Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Serbia will aim to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming friendly against Saudi Arabia on home soil. With a capacity of just 4,500 at the TSC Arena, the Serbian team will be looking to leverage their home advantage to bounce back from this defeat.
As both teams move forward, observers will be keen to see how Spain continues to build on their momentum, while Serbia will need to address their shortcomings if they hope to compete effectively in future matches.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of this match on both teams’ strategies moving forward, but the implications of this result are clear: Spain is on the rise, while Serbia has much work to do.