A hat-trick from Aleksandar Mitrovic set Serbia on course for an easy 4-1 win over Sweden in their Nations League B Group 4 match on Saturday (Sep 24) to set up a winner-takes-all clash in their final game against Norway in Oslo on Tuesday. Norway and Serbia top the standings on 10 points, with the Norwegians in pole position thanks to a 1-0 win in Belgrade earlier in the campaign, while the Swedes will need to beat Slovenia in Stockholm to avoid relegation to League C.
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat-trick as Serbia thrashed Sweden 4-1 in Belgrade in the Nations League. Mitrovic, 28, scored Serbia's first three goals before Sasa Lukic added a fourth midway through the second half.
Serbia moved level on points with Norway at the top of Group B4, but are below them on head-to-head record. The two sides meet on Tuesday in a fixture that will decide which team gains promotion to the A league.
Mitrovic has now scored 49 goals in 75 appearances for his national side, taking his season tally to nine in eight games in all competitions.
Viktor Claesson had given Sweden the lead after 15 minutes but it was short-lived as Mitrovic grabbed his first of the night three minutes later.
A header on the stroke of half-time put the home side in control and when the striker scored his third three minutes after the break the result was all but secured, with Torino midfielder Lukic scoring a fourth for good measure.
Serbia need to beat Norway to gain promotion, while a draw or a win for Erling Haaland's team will see them progress after the Norwegians won the first encounter between the two sides.
Sweden dropped to the bottom of the group after Slovenia had earlier beaten Norway and will be relegated if they do not win their final game against the Slovenes.
