BELGRADE, Serbia (Interstat) — Serbia U21 defeated Russia U21 2-1 on Monday in a competitive under-21 international football match that turned on goals from Matija Mitrovic and Marko Velickovic and a tense late red-card sequence. Serbia U21 improved to 1-1 in the competition and 1-1 across all competitions, while Russia U21 also moved to 1-1 in the competition and 1-1 across all competitions. The home side had lost the previous meeting between the teams this season, when Russia U21 won 3-1 at Serbia U21, and the rematch carried the weight of that result from the opening whistle.

Alexander Pomalyuk was Russia U21’s key performer, playing the full 90 minutes and scoring its only goal. Marko Velickovic played the full match and scored for Serbia U21. Matija Mitrovic also played 90 minutes, scored and was sent off. Mitrovic opened the scoring in the 34th minute, giving Serbia U21 a lead it protected into the interval. Velickovic doubled the advantage in the 46th minute, scoring just after the restart to put Serbia U21 ahead 2-0. Pomalyuk’s finish made it 2-1 and forced Serbia U21 to manage the closing stages with a narrow lead.

The match grew tense in the 70th minute when both teams were reduced to 10 men. Russia U21’s M. Umnikov was shown a red card, and Serbia U21’s Mitrovic also was sent off in the same minute. The simultaneous dismissals changed the shape of the final 20 minutes, leaving both sides to adjust their midfield and defensive lines. Serbia U21, still ahead 2-1, had to absorb pressure without Mitrovic, while Russia U21 searched for an equalizer with the teams level in numbers. The visitors could not find a second goal despite pressing forward, and Serbia U21 saw out the result.

Russia U21’s goal came through Pomalyuk, who was on the field for the entire match and scored the team’s only goal. That finish gave Russia U21 a route back into the match, but Serbia U21’s back line limited clear chances after the sending-off. The visitors’ record in the competition now stands at 1-1, and their overall record is also 1-1. Serbia U21’s competition record is 1-1, and its overall record is 1-1, leaving both teams with a split from their opening two matches this season.

Serbia U21’s victory avenged, at least in part, the earlier 3-1 home loss to Russia U21 in the previous head-to-head meeting this season. That result had given Russia U21 the upper hand in the series, but Serbia U21 used the return match to level its season record and claim a morale-building win. The home side’s two-goal burst around halftime proved decisive, even as the game became disjointed after the red cards. Russia U21 pushed numbers forward in the final stages, but Serbia U21 held its shape and cleared several dangerous deliveries.

Mitrovic’s goal and red card made for a mixed afternoon, as he scored the opener and then was dismissed. Velickovic’s goal immediately after halftime gave Serbia U21 breathing room and ultimately the winning margin. Pomalyuk’s goal kept Russia U21 within reach, but the visitors could not build on it. Umnikov’s red card also proved costly, as Russia U21 lost a key piece during its push for an equalizer. The final minutes were marked by fatigue and tactical adjustments rather than free-flowing football.

The result leaves both sides at 1-1 in the competition and 1-1 across all competitions. Serbia U21 will view the win as a response to its previous defeat, while Russia U21 will rue a missed opportunity to take control of the head-to-head series. The match also showed how quickly momentum can shift in under-21 football, with goals early in the second half and simultaneous red cards reshaping the contest. Neither side managed to add another goal after Pomalyuk’s finish, and Serbia U21’s defense protected the one-goal cushion through the final whistle.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Russia U21 4, Serbia U21 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Serbia U21 with a 58 percent probability to win. Those forecasts contrasted with the actual outcome, as Serbia U21 won 2-1.