Serbia 2-1 Saudi Arabia, International Friendly: Pavlovic Scores Wondergoal As Eagles Trump Green Falcons

Serbia came from behind to seal a comfortable 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in their international friendly fixture at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia stunned the home crowd early when Abdullah Al-Hamdan scored in the eighth minute, capitalising on an error by Aleksa Terzic. Serbia gradually grew into the game, and Strahinja Pavlovic equalised in the 66th minute with a wonderful bicycle kick. Just four minutes later, veteran striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored with a header to complete the turnaround.

Updated on: 1 April 2026 11:11 am

Published at: 1 April 2026 11:11 am

Serbia vs Saudi Arabia International soccer Friendly-Strahinja Pavlovic

Serbia's Strahinja Pavlovic, left, scores his side's first goal during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

1/9

Serbia's Strahinja Pavlovic, second from left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

2/9

Serbia vs Saudi Arabia International soccer Friendly-Serbias Petar Stanic

Serbia's Petar Stanic, centre, and Saudi Arabia's Musab Aljuwayr challenge for the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

3/9

Serbia vs Saudi Arabia International soccer Friendly-Ali Majrash

Saudi Arabia's Ali Majrash, centre, challenges for the ball with Serbia's Stefan Bukinac, left, and Filip Kostic during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

4/9

Serbia vs Saudi Arabia International soccer Friendly-Salman Al Faraj

Saudi Arabia's Salman Al Faraj, left, and Serbia's Petar Stanic challenge for the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

5/9

Serbia's Petar Stanic, centre, and Saudi Arabia's Mohamed Kanno challenge for the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

6/9

Serbia vs Saudi Arabia International soccer Friendly-Serbias Strahinja Pavlovic

Serbia's Strahinja Pavlovic, right, and Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Alhamddan challenge for the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

7/9

Serbia vs Saudi Arabia International soccer Friendly-Saudi Arabias Saleh Alshehri

Saudi Arabia's Saleh Alshehri heads the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

8/9

Serbia vs Saudi Arabia International soccer Friendly-Serbias Aleksandar Mitrovic

Serbia's Aleksandar Mitrovic, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic

9/9

Serbia's Strahinja Pavlovic, right, controls the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Saudi Arabia in Backa Topola, Serbia. | Photo: AP/Darko Vojinovic