Rui Patricio error sees Serbia equalise

Hello everyone and welcome along to this Portugal vs Serbia live blog. It's a battle between two sides who are looking to finish top in World Cup Qualification Group A. Portugal are ahead of Serbia in the group standings only on goal difference so must avoid defeat in Lisbon to book their place in Qatar 2022.

We'll have updates from the Estadio da Luz in this live blog, so follow along with us this Sunday evening.

Portugal vs Serbia LIVE - 1-1

This is the very start of our Portugal vs Serbia live blog, with the entries nearest the top the most recent ones. We'll have build-up news and then minute-by-minute updates too.

Half time: Portugal 1-1 Serbia

Despite the hosts' early goal it's all square at the break, with Tacic's goal cancelling out Sanches' opener. This result will be enough to see Portugal through to the World Cup, but they'll want to get another goal to give themselves some breathing room.

Minute 42 - Both sides pushing

Each of Serbia and Portugal have had their chances so far, with Danilo missing the latest for the hosts. Prior to that, Joao Moutinho had seen a shot blocked and Filip Kostic fired wide at the other end.

Minute 33 - Serbia level!

Things have suddenly become very interesting in Portugal, as Cristiano Ronaldo and co. have lost their lead. Dusan Tadic has levelled for the visitors, which has the two level on points at the top of Group A.

Minute 15 - Card collecting

There's a lot on the line this evening and neither side are shying away from tackles so far. With a quarter of an hour played both have had players get themselves in the referee's book, Joao Cancelo for Portugal and Nemanja Gudelj for Serbia.

Minute 2 - Portugal lead!

That didn't take long! Renato Sanches is perhaps an unlikely opening goalscorer, but he has given the hosts a huge lead that puts them in the driving seat now, knowing that they need to avoid defeat to qualify. Serbia have it all to do.

19:45 GMT: Kick off!

The game is underway at the Estadio da Luz. We'll know the winners of Group A in just under two hours, with a place at Qatar 2022 on the line.

Hunting for more goals, and another shot at World Cup success

A World Cup trophy is just about all that Cristiano Ronaldo is missing from his packed trophy cabinet, and he'll want to make sure Portugal stand a chance at Qatar 2022 by firing them to the tournament this evening. Already international football's record goalscorer with 115 to his name, he'll be desperate to add to his legend at the Estadio da Luz.

Portugal vs Serbia: Oficial line-ups

Cristiano Ronaldo unsurprisingly starts for Portugal as they host Serbia in a huge World Cup qualifier on Sunday, but Aleksandar Mitrovic has unexpectedly been left on the bench for the visitors in what, for them, is a must-win match.

Portugal XI: Rui Patricio; Cancelo, Fonte, Dias, Mendes; Sanches, Danilo, Moutinho; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota.

Serbia XI: Rajkovic; Veljkovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Gudelj, Lukic, Kostic; Tadic; Vlahovic.

18:45 GMT: Cristiano Ronaldo is hungry for goals

Having already become international football's highest-ever goalscorer when Portugal hosted Ireland in September, Cristiano Ronaldo ended the night in Dublin frustrated on Thursday as the sides drew 0-0. Although the Manchester United forward came close to scoring another late winner, photos of him being outmuscled and choked in mid-air by Irish defender Shane Duffy went on to be the lasting images of the game. He'll undoubtedly be desperate to get back on the scoresheet tonight.

17:30 GMT: What was the result when Portugal last played Serbia?

The two sides last met in the second game of World Cup Qualification Group A back in March 2021, with nothing being able to separate them. Despite playing 90 minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't able to score and Portugal instead went 2-0 up through a Diogo Jota brace. Aleksandar Mitrovic and Filip Kostic scored in the second half to level things up and the points were shared.

16:10 GMT: What are the Portugal vs Serbia predicted line-ups?

With both sides knowing a win will see them qualify for Qatar 2022, a cagey affair is to be expected in Portugal on Sunday, but the hosts know that they have a guarantee of goals in Cristiano Ronaldo should things be tight late on.

Portugal probable XI: Rui Patricio; Cancelo, Dias, Pereira, Mendes; Fernandes, Palhinha, Moutinho; B. Silva, Ronaldo, Jota.

Serbia probable XI: Rajkovic; Milenkovic, S.Mitrovic, Pavlovic; Radonjic, Milinkovic-Savic, Gudelj, Kostic; Tadic; A. Mitrovic, Vlahovic.

15:30 GMT: When does Portugal vs Serbia start and where can you watch it?

Sunday's crucial World Cup qualifier between Portugal and Serbia kicks off at 19:45 GMT, with Portugal playing hosts at the Estadio da Luz. For those watching in the UK, you can tune in to Sky Go Extra, or behind the red button on Sky Sports from 19:45 GMT. In the United States, you can watch the game live on ESPN+.

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