Serbia failed to put up a fight as they were knocked out of Euro 2024 following a draw which saw Denmark progress.
Neither side produced a performance that reflected their potential, but Denmark were the better team in a forgettable encounter in Munich.
Jonas Wind had a goal disallowed for Denmark in the first half because the ball had gone out of play before he bundled it over the line from a corner.
The Wolfsburg forward also slipped as he tried to connect with a smart flick-on from Rasmus Hojlund, slicing over the bar from a good position, and was substituted at the break.
Denmark continued to create chances despite a poor display by their standards. Alexander Bah headed wide and Christian Eriksen’s shot had to be parried behind for a corner.
Serbia, who knew they would be eliminated if they did not win because of Slovenia’s stalemate with England in the other Group C match, had just one shot on target that came in second-half stoppage time.
They did have a goal ruled out when Luka Jovic’s shot bounced in off Denmark defender Joachim Anderson in the second half – but the striker was offside in the build-up.
Knowing their place in the last 16 was secure with a draw, a pragmatic Denmark side lacked ruthlessness. Although Jannik Vestergaard headed a corner delivery at Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, they rarely tested him throughout the second half.
Denmark ease into last 16 as Serbia struggle
Serbia had just two shots on target in the first half of their three group games – the joint fewest of any side alongside Scotland and Ukraine
All four teams from Group C had a chance of reaching the knockout stages before Tuesday’s matches kicked off, but Serbia never looked like winning this one.
Cheered on from the stands by 24-time Grand Slam tennis champion Novak Djokovic, Serbia could not rise to the occasion and went out of the competition with a whimper.
A few opportunities came late on as Aleksandar Mitrovic curled a shot wide, Dusan Vlahovic’s header landed on the roof of the net and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic struck their first shot on target – but Denmark were not fazed.
It had been a disappointing performance from Serbia as their supporters jeered at half-time and frustrations grew in the second half when referee Francois Letexier ruled out their goal for offside.
Plastic cups were thrown on to the pitch and play had to be stopped twice as stewards and Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel cleared them, followed by an announcement pleading for fans to stop hurling objects.
Jovic and Dusan Tadic had been brought on at half-time as Serbia looked for inspiration, but Denmark continued to control possession while not taking many risks.
Manager Kasper Hjulmand seemed content with a point and took off Manchester United striker Hojlund and key midfielder Morten Hjulmand – who the Danes will lose for their next match after he picked up a second booking of the group stage. Eriksen was also replaced with a few minutes remaining.
Denmark progress as group runners-up with three draws from three matches, joining England and Slovenia in moving on to the last 16.
