A late goal from Uros Djurdjevic has earned Serbia Under-21s a 2-2 draw with Macedonia Under-21s, but it is likely to be not enough for his nation to progress at Under-21 Euro 2017.
After defeat in their opening games, both nations needed three points from their Group B fixture and it appeared that Macedonia would secure a maximum return after an effort from Nikola Gjorgjev with seven minutes left.
However, Djurdjevic netted in the final minute of added-on time to earn his side a share of the spoils.
Read below to see how the action unfolded in Bydgoszcz.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match between Serbia Under-21s and Macedonia Under-21s at Under-21 Euro 2017.
If you haven't been following Under-21 Euro 2017, you would be forgiven for thinking that this is your bog-standard qualifying match ahead of a major tournament, but you would be wrong. This is, in fact, a group game at the Under-21 European Championship but both nations face a tough ask as they look to progress through to the semi-finals.
On Matchday one, both sides suffered defeats without scoring a goal. When the other members of your group are Spain and Portugal, that's something which you cannot really afford. Macedonia, inparticular, need two huge victories to hit back from a 5-0 setback against Spain, whereas Serbia would probably settle for a two-goal winning margin to give themselves a chance ahead of the final game, although they, too, will be relying on Spain to drop points against Portugal later this evening.
Anyway, I'm assuming you want some team news. Don't worry, that is coming right up.
SERBIA UNDER-21s XI: Milinkovic-Savic, Gajic, Antonov, Veljkovic, Maksimovic, Djurdevic, Gacinovic, Jovanovic, Grujic, Zivkovic, Plavsic
MACEDONIA UNDER-21S XI: Aleksovski, Zajkov, Bardi, Nikolov, Radeski, Babunski, Avramovski, Velkovski, Markoski, Demiri, Murati
The Serbia starting lineup includes the likes of Marko Grujic, who has made appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool, and Uros Djurdevic, the goal machine from Partizan Belgrade. Those pair are the standout names but many of their squad ply their trade around Europe, with Nemanja Maksimovic now at Valencia and goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, the former Manchester United trainee who is now at Torino.
Unless you are Macedonian or are hardcore followers of Under-21 football, you are unlikely to be familiar with the majority of their squad but David Babunski of Yokohama F. Marinos is the standout player and wins his 26th cap in this match. They are fairly experienced at the back with Gjoko Zajkov and Darko Velkovski but winning over 20 caps, while Marjan Radeski will be charged with trying to score their goals.
PREDICTION! It is difficult to predict the outcome of this match, so we are going to go for a 1-1 draw. Macedonia came through a group including France during the qualification process so know how to perform against the best, but they are also smarting from a 5-0 defeat to Spain. Serbia are the more solid and consistent of the two teams but we think Macedonia will rise to the occasion, knowing that this is their best opportunity to get at least a point on the board.
The two teams are out in Bydgoszcz. It's fair to say that we are not at capacity but it should be a decent atmosphere all the same.
Serbia get us underway.
CHANCE! Serbia have made a fast start to this match and they should be ahead. After Aleksovski only half cleared with a punch, the ball came back into the box where Maksimovic sent a half-volley over the crossbar from no more than eight yards.
It's a hot day to be chasing and that's all that Macedonia are doing right now. That could cost them later on in this match. They are dominating possession and playing with a tempo which suggests that they want to make light work of their opponents.
CHANCE! Another big chance for Serbia during the early stages of this game. The ball fell invitingly to Gacinovic but despite being able to get a volley on goal from 20 yards out, he lashed his effort over the crossbar.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Serbia! An inswinging cross finds the run of Grujic, but he glances his header from 10 yards wide of the far post. He should be scoring from there.
BOOKING! Markoski is the first man into the book for a lunge on Gajic. Easy decision for the referee.
We are still in the rhythm of attack versus defence. It may be goalless but the defence is not necessarily coming out on top. Macedonia are really fortunate to still be on level terms.
In all fairness to Macedonia, they are starting to have more possession now but they are yet to bring their attacking players into play. They are going to have to up their quality in the final third to make an impression.
BOOKING! Moments ago, Grujic went down without winning a foul and he has taken his frustration out by fouling a Macedonian player. Yellow card.
GOAL! Serbia Under-21s 1-0 Macedonia Under-21s (Gacinovic)
It had been coming. Serbia had two appeals for a penalty turned down but the ball eventually fell in the path of Gacinovic, who produced the finish from 12 yards. They deservedly lead and Macedonia have a tough task on their hands to get back into this one.
This is a really spicy contest. Both sets of players do not like each other and tackles are flying in from all angles. Don't be surprised if we see a red card. From a general play perspective, it is still all Serbia.
The temperature may be starting to have an effect on this match. It's boiling in Poland, on the same scale as it is in Great Britain. The longer this game goes on, it is going to get more and more difficult for Macedonia to create something which will challenge Serbia.
CHANCE! Grujic has missed a sitter to double Serbia's lead. He received the ball all on his own inside the penalty area but with just the goalkeeper to beat, he hit his effort straight at him.
Some of the Macedonian players have decided to throw themselves all over the place. There have been a couple of bad challenges but not to the extent where they should be staying down for a minute or so. They aren't enjoying this match.
SHOT! Macedonia have had a shot! Bardhi decides to try his luck from 30 yards after his side won a free kick, and his dipping effort needs to be tipped away by Milinkovic-Savic.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Serbia Under-21s 1-0 Macedonia Under-21s
The half-time whistle goes and Serbia lead thanks to that Gacinovic effort. To their credit, they should be at least three goals ahead - the gulf in class has been that obvious - but while it remains 1-0, Macedonia remain in this contest.
Macedonia get us back underway.
SHOT! It's been a better start to the half from Macedonia, and Bardhi has just gone close with another set piece. This was better than his initial effort but it was tipped over by Milinkovic-Savic.
Macedonia are much the better side now. They are yet to create another meaningful chance but Serbia know they are in a game. They cannot afford to draw this match.
CHANCE! Serbia hit back and almost provide Gacinovic with another opening, but he is unable to get much on the ball on the slide after being played in on goal. It has been lively since the restart.
While Macedonia are still improving, we have to remember that they need two goals to realistically remain in the competition. A draw helps no-one here.
BOOKING! Macedonia's Elmas has only just been introduced but he is already in the book for a cynical foul.
PENALTY TO MACEDONIA! A Serbian player handles the ball in the box and it's a penalty to Macedonia!
GOAL! Serbia Under-21s 1-1 Macedonia Under-21s (Bardhi)
Based on their second-half showing, Macedonia deserve that. Bardhi produces a brilliant penalty into the corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Game on!
You would imagine that both teams will throw caution to the wind in an attempt to net a winner. If the score stays the same, only a freak set of results will give them a chance of qualification.
We are well under 20 minutes to go now and rather than seeing more players thrown forward, there seems a reluctance to commit too much at this stage. I'm not sure that is the way to go about things!
Less than a quarter-of-an-hour now and chances have completely dried up. Macedonia are probably shading the general play but unless they or Serbia can get a goal, they are effectively going out, unless Spain and Portugal fail to win another group game.
It's proving difficult to bring you something exciting because nothing is really happening! I suggested earlier that the temperatures may play a part towards the end of this contest and that is proving to be the case. It was 27C at the time of kickoff.
GOAL! Serbia Under-21s 1-2 Macedonia Under-21s (Gjorgjev)
Unbelievable scenes. Macedonia were pathetic in the first half and now they lead with seven minutes remaining! Gjorgjev was given all the time in the world to get a shot away on the edge of the area and his deflected effort found a way past the goalkeeper. Serbia are heading out of this tournament.
CHANCE! Big chance for an equaliser for Serbia! A cross was floated towards the back post for Ozegovic but his volley from close range was brilliantly kept out by Aleksovski.
GOAL! Serbia Under-21s 2-2 Macedonia Under-21s (Djurdevic)
Disaster for Macedonia. A free kick is sent to the back post and Djurdevic is there to head in from close range. There's more drama...
WOODWORK! How has this stopped out! Serbia hit the post through Zivkovic, who heads against the inside of the post from 10 yards out.
FULL TIME: Serbia Under-21s 2-2 Macedonia Under-21s
The full-time whistle goes in Poland and I'd say that is probably that for both Serbia and Macedonia. Neither side were able to benefit from a draw but that's how the match has panned out. They need a miracle to reach the semi-finals.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match, but we hope that you can stick around for the game involving Portugal and Spain, with our coverage getting underway in less than 20 minutes time. Goodbye for now.
