Deep into stoppage time now, and in truth, Serbia have looked out of ideas for some time now. There's no reason for Portugal to let this slip at this point. Ronaldo nearly slips in Nani, but a deflection takes it through to Stojkovic.
90' +2
João Moutinho gets yellow.
90' +1
F. Đuričić gets yellow.
Djuricic is carded for hacking down Ronaldo, and the Real Madrid forward lines up the free kick himself from 30 yards. He tries to crack it right on goal, but it slams into the wall.
89'
Nani delivers a dangerous cross to the front post that causes panic in the box, but just evades the goal and goes out for a corner. A chance for Portugal to waste time here.
87'
Not a lot happening in the final moments, which will suit Portugal just fine. In fact, the hosts are playing keep ball, forcing Serbia to do all the chasing. Good close out from Santos' men.
85'
P. Škuletić enters the game and replaces A. Ljajić.
William Carvalho enters the game and replaces Danny.
Some more substitutions as Danny and Ljajic both depart, with Carvalho and Skuletic coming on in their respective places. Still a one-goal advantage for the hosts in this crucial qualifier.
83'
Ronaldo hasn't been directly involved in any goals today but I've quite liked what he's offered on the pitch today. He's evaded pressure well and provided a solid outlet on the flanks. And not a hint of bad body language.
82'
Z. Tošić gets yellow.
81'
Less than 10 minutes to go now and Serbia are getting very careless at the back. Stojkovic isn't communicating well and some pressure from Ronaldo nearly results in a critical turnover.
79'
A change for either side here, as Coentrao, with what looks like the game winner under his belt, departs for Quaresma. Tadic's night is also at an end as he is replaced by Tosic.
Minute
Description
78'
Z. Tošić enters the game and replaces D. Tadić.
Ricardo Quaresma enters the game and replaces Fábio Coentrão.
77'
Serbia are starting to pepper away at Patricio's goal, as Petrovic slaps a lovely volley right down the throat of the Portugal keeper. What a well-struck effort that was, too bad there wasn't much placement behind it.
75'
NOW THAT WAS AN OPENING! Ljajic's footwork is simply spellbinding inside the area, as he leaves his man for dead. He can go for goal but goes for the slightly more understandable option of a layoff for Djuricic, but his effort from the top of the D is blocked!
73'
Time starting to run a little thin here for Serbia to get back into this game. Mitrovic has simply not been provided with much meaningful service, and he's spurned the one real chance that fell his way.
71'
Petrovic set a few Serbian hearts racing with a bad turnover just outside his box, but Coentrao can't find the target with a snap shot. Portugal looking threatening at the moment.
69'
Portugal continue to look the more comfortable side since that flurry of goals. You get the feeling that it will take another Matic-level moment of genius to get Serbia back in this one.
67'
Provided that this scoreline holds, then Portugal will take the lead atop Group I, leapfrogging Denmark by two points with four games played each. Serbia can catch up to Albania if they manage an improbable come-from-behind victory from this point.
65'
F. Đuričić enters the game and replaces L. Marković.
Well that didn't take long! Just when Portugal were starting to count the cost of not turning their dominance into more goals, up pops Moutinho to carve Serbia apart. Now then, both teams have proven that they have goals in them. Here's to a storming finish.
63'
Fábio Coentrão has scored a goal for Portugal! Assist by João Moutinho.
Eliseu was slow getting off the goal line and it was that delay that played Matic onside. First international goal for the former Benfica man on his return to Lisbon. He won't ever forget that one!
COENTRAO RESTORES PORTUGAL'S LEAD IMMEDIATELY! Nobody tracks Moutinho's run down the right-hand side, and the Monaco midfielder curls a delicious low ball to the far post that Coentrao can't help but stab home!
61'
N. Matić has scored a goal for Serbia! Assist by R. Petrović.
MATIC HAS DRAWN SERBIA LEVEL SPECTACULARLY! The ball comes in from the left and is flicked to the Chelsea man at the back post. He reacts with a stunning overhead kick to beat Patricio!
58'
Serbia continue to control possession but they also continue to make it easy for Portugal to set up their defensive ranks. It's all too lethargic and formulaic from the visiting side.
56'
This has been better from Serbia in the second half but they're still lacking a cutting edge in the final third. Portugal, on the other hand, have shown nothing as an attacking force since the restart.
54'
The crowd boo Serbia's decision to push on in the face of Moutinho's distress, and now the game is halted for the former Sporting CP man to get treated. Mitrovic should still be shaking his head at that miss!
52'
Moutinho is writhing in agony but Serbia continue their attack. And they create a great chance at the end of it too, as Tadic's cross is thumped over the bar by the head of Mitrovic! Easily Serbia's best chance of the game!
50'
Serbia, as they did in the first half, are trying to force a route down the left flank. On the opposite side though, Basta and Markovic haven't shown much as an attacking force.
48'
Good chance for Serbia on the free kick, but Ljajic's delivery is easily cleared by Ronaldo. The Real Madrid start takes the onus on himself to lead the counter-attacking charge but he's upended by Kolarov, who is booked for his troubles.
47'
A. Kolarov gets yellow.
46'
Here we go again!
45' +1
And that will do it for the first half.
44'
There's been a simmering undercurrent to this game, with some scrappy and competitive periods. It may be a bit presumptuous of me, but I won't be surprised if this game finishes with less than 22 players on the pitch.
42'
SCUFFLE! Ljajic and Coentrao tussle for the ball and the Serbian appeared to lash out at the Real Madrid man. The referee obliges with bookings for the pair of them, and the fires are soon put out.
41'
Fábio Coentrão gets yellow.
A. Ljajić gets yellow.
40'
Moutinho is the next to have a go from range, but like Tiago before him, his effort moves well off Stojkovic in the Serbia goal. The visitors are defending a lot better at the moment.
38'
Tiago attempts to spark the crowd back into life with a long-range try, but he's not close to finding the target. Chances have started to dry up with half time drawing ever nearer.
36'
Portugal are the ones in control of possession now, and they look much better value for a second goal than Serbia do for a leveler. Santos has set his team up very well today.
34'
Basta is clearly going to need some more help from Markovic on the Serbia right flank. Ronaldo has the beating of him whenever he wants, and the Lazio man can't cover him alone.
32'
RONALDO TERRORIZES AGAIN! He bamboozles his way down the left flank and squares the ball across the face of goal. Only the lack of options in the six-yard area prevented a Portuguese connection which would have surely meant a second.
30'
STINGER! Ronaldo unloads a missile from about 25 yards that Stojkovic has to divert over the bar! He has to keep a strong wrist there, because that was drilled with hellfire by the Real Madrid man!
28'
The waves of Serbian possession has rather killed the vibe of this crowd. A very deflated atmosphere as the game has fallen into the same lull. This has all the makings of a tight one, as clashes between these two usually are.
26'
Matic kicks out at Ronaldo and will become the first recipient of a yellow card in this game. He plays such a crucial role for Serbia, and will now have to walk a tightrope.
25'
N. Matić gets yellow.
24'
This is just too rudimentary from Serbia. They're attacking with basic crosses that aren't troubling Patricio or his defence one bit. They should be encouraged by maintaining the attack, but their execution leaves a lot to be desired.
22'
Serbia have focused most of their attacks down the left-hand side, but in truth, their lack of cohesion has made it easy for Portugal to defend against. Their little one-twos haven't been coordinated well at all.
20'
The tempo of the match has definitely slowed in the last few minutes. Portugal are looking tidy on the ball but are loath to take risks with it. Serbia warily holding a deep line against their waves of possession.
18'
The danger for Serbia is the searing pace on the Portuguese flanks in the shape of Nani and Ronaldo. Every potential counter is greeted with a roar from the crowd, who want to see the wide men take players on.
17'
José Fonte enters the game and replaces Ricardo Carvalho.
16'
Bad news for Portugal, as the goalscorer Carvalho has picked up a knock and will play no further part in this game. He's given the warmest of receptions as he departs, shaking his head. Jose Fonte replaces him.
14'
Serbia, to their credit, are keeping Portugal penned back at the moment as they seek an immediate response. Tadic has an effort blocked away from goal, as the visitors push down the left flank.
12'
Curicic will be FURIOUS at the ease with which Carvalho was allowed to score. Headers don't come much freer than that. That will encourage the home side even further in what has been an impressive start from them.
10'
Ricardo Carvalho has scored a goal for Portugal! Assist by Fábio Coentrão.
THAT'S THE OPENER! Portugal grab the lead thanks to a simple goal. The hosts work a corner short, and Coentrao hooks a cross into Carvalho, who is criminally unmarked and guides a header home!
8'
Serbia starting to look more comfortable in possession, but Portugal still look like the side more capable of causing danger, thanks to the speed of their counters. Interesting tempo to this one.
5'
Danny attacks a free-kick but fires his effort straight down the throat of Stojkovic. Portugal looking to force the issue early on and try to coerce some mistakes out of the Serbian back line.
3'
Portugal are on top in the opening exchanges. Nani is looking dangerous already, and his play on the flanks with Ronaldo will be vital to the home side's hopes for a victory.
1'
We're off!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Euro 2016 qualifier between Portugal and Serbia. Group I is starting to take shape, with tonight's hosts in second and the visitors in fourth. A lot at stake tonight, so join me, Keeghann Sinanan, for all the action.
Portugal's trio of games in the Group I section have all ended with a scoreline of 1-0. The Seleccao have won two, with the one loss coming against Albania. That shock defeat was their only competitive loss in 18 matches at home. Fernando Santos will not want his team to suffer a similar fate here, with Denmark only a point ahead at the top of the group.
Serbia need to start winning, and fast. They've only taken a single point from their opening three qualifiers. A 3-0 win against Wales during qualification for the last World Cup was their only away victory in their last seven tries. Of course, Radovan Curcic's side have been deducted three points after their abandoned match against Albania, when a drone carrying a controversial banner flew over the field, sparking a tussle between both sets of players.
Danny will tuck in just behind wide forwards Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo in an inverted attacking trident for the home side. Pepe is missing, so Bruno Alves and Ricardo Carvalho will man the centre of the defence. Former Chelsea men Tiago and Jose Bosingwa also get starts from Santos.
Serbia send out a strong side, captained by Branislav Ivanovic, who lines up next to Matija Nastasic in the heart of the defence. There's a lot of EPL flavour in the visitors XI, as Dusan Tadic, Lazar Markovic and Nemanja Matic line up in the midfield.
Ricardo Carvalho gave the home side the lead before departing to an unfortunate injury shortly after. Portugal are good value for this 1-0 scoreline, having shown more purpose in just about every area of the pitch than an out-of-sorts Serbia side. Still a lot to play for in the second half, so do stay tuned.
And that will do it from Lisbon! Portugal get the win that they craved and quite frankly deserved. Goals from Carvalho and Coentrao bettered a stunner from Matic and sends the Seleccao top of Group I with a two-point lead over Denmark and Albania. Serbia remain rock bottom of the standings with one point.
That will be all from me, I'm Keeghann Sinanan and it's been a pleasure!
Commentary
More…