Aleksandar Mitrovic netted a 90th-minute winner to send Serbia into the 2022 World Cup finals and stun Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 2-1 on Sunday.
Portugal only needed a win or draw in Lisbon to clinch their spot in Qatar but must now qualify via the play-offs.
The hosts had taken a second-minute lead from Renato Sanches, before Serbia rallied with Dusan Tadic equalizing on 33 minutes, before Mitrovic’s stunning headed 90th-minute winner.
Portugal had seemed to be cruising to qualification prior to this international break, before drawing 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland and going down at home to their nearest group rivals.
Despite the last-gasp defeat, Portugal head coach Fernando Santos guaranteed they would still qualify for Qatar.
We’ll be in Qatar. We know we didn’t do what we should, but we’ll be there,” Santos said.
“We’ve always played to win and think about the offensive moment. But it doesn’t always turn out as we want. And it’s my responsibility.”
Elsewhere, 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia secured their spot in Qatar, edging Russia 1-0 in a must-win qualifier in wet conditions in Split.
The winning goal came from an unfortunate Fyodor Kudryashov own goal in the 81st minute.
Spain clinched their World Cup berth with a 1-0 home victory over Sweden, as the maligned Alvaro Morata netted the 86th-minute winner.
Sweden, who needed to win in Sevilla to finish top and qualify, had their chances, with Emil Forsberg and Alexander Isak guilty of glaring misses.
Already-qualified Germany eased past Armenia 4-1, while North Macedonia secured a play-offs spot with a 3-1 home win over Iceland.
