Aleksandar Mitrovic returned to haunt Wales again with another equaliser to deny Aaron Ramsey a famous winner.
Chris Coleman’s side, without suspended star man Gareth Bale, delivered a determined team performance in Belgrade.
Wales had never beaten Serbia, Montenegro or Yugoslavia previously.
A memorable win seemed on the cards when Aaron Ramsey dinked in a ‘Panenka’ penalty in the 35th minute at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
It was in the same goal and same corner on the same ground as Antonin Panenka’s original winning penalty in a 1976 European Championship final penalty shoot-out for Czechoslovakia against Germany.
But Newcastle forward Mitrovic struck in the 73rd minute to deny the visitors – just like he did last year in the 1-1 draw in Cardiff.
(Photo: REUTERS)
(Photo: REUTERS)
After an inconsistent qualification campaign since making the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Wales rediscovered their doggedness here.
Boss Coleman promised Serbia a much tougher game than their 6-1 thrashing here in 2012 and so it proved.
Burnley hitman Sam Vokes started upfront on his 50th appearance after finishing the domestic season with five goals in his last five games.
Coleman strode out on to the pitch before kick-off and motioned to the away fans to gee them up.
Wales started well and won an early corner which David Edwards headed wide at the back post from Joe Ledley’s delivery.
(Photo: REUTERS)
(Photo: PA)
The visitors did well to frustrate hosts as Serbia skipper Branislav Ivanovic shot over from 40 yards.
The former Chelsea defender then picked out Mitrovic at the back post but he headed wide.
Wales regained their composure as Ramsey harried Vladimir Stojkovic and forced the keeper to bring him down on the edge of the box.
From Ledley’s free-kick, referee Manuel De Sousa ruled Luka Milivojevic pulled back Vokes and awarded a spot-kick.
Ramsey showed real quality to step up to chip in the penalty with his right foot into the corner.
(Photo: PA)
It was Ramsey’s 12th goal for his country in 47 appearances and showed his confidence after scoring Arsenal’s winner in the FA Cup final.
The goal sparked tense scenes in the crowd as home fans responded by rushing the away end and tearing down flags.
Riot police were deployed to calm passions.
But the stadium erupted 17 minutes from time when the hosts finally broke Welsh resistance as Mitrovic slotted in to put Serbia back top of the group.