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Portugal prevail in shoot-out to end Serbia reign

Portugal 0-0 Serbia (aet; Portugal win 4-3 on penalties)
After a goalless 120 minutes, Portugal substitute goalkeeper Tiago Sá denied Sergej Milinković-Savić to end the holders' reign.

Portugal prevail in shoot-out to end Serbia reign
Portugal prevail in shoot-out to end Serbia reign ©UEFA.com

For the second year running a UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-final between Portugal and Serbia was settled by a penalty shoot-out – but unlike 12 months ago, it was Portugal who were celebrating.

No goals in 120 minutes in Felcsut
Substitute goalkeeper Tiago Sá saves Serbia's fifth penalty
Germany await in Budapest final

In a tight contest there was nothing between the teams in 90 minutes, and extra time proved equally unable to separate them. For the second year running, it went to a shoot-out and, just as in 2013, Serbia missed their first kick, Mijat Gačinović shooting over. Serbia's Predrag Rajković saved two spot kicks in 2013 and denied Tomás Podstawski here – yet, with Portugal converting their other four kicks, substitute goalkeeper Tiago Sá saved Serbia's fifth kick from Sergej Milinković-Savić to dethrone the holders.

Portugal controlled possession in the first 45 minutes, but the best chances came at the other end. André Moreira dived to his right to brush Milan Gajić's curling effort past the upright before the overlapping Nemanja Antonov unleashed a fierce angled effort that the well-positioned André Moreira blocked.

At the other end André Silva – joint top scorer after the group stage with five goals – passed up Portugal's most promising opening, lifting over the bar after being played through beautifully by Rafa. Early in the second period Gelson Martins tested Rajković after cutting inside, before Portugal's goalkeeper was called into a more spectacular stop, Moreira backpedalling to tip Milinković-Savić's audacious lob from just inside the Portuguese half.

Ivo Rodrigues swiftly replied with a swerving effort just past the post, but with clear chances still at a premium extra time looked ever more likely, despite Mijat Gačinović's dangerous low shot late on.

Portugal were forced into a change early in the first additional period after Moreira turned his ankle and was replaced by Tiago Sá, who was quickly into action to tip over a Milan Jokić free-kick. Romário Baldé headed across the face of goal at the other end while Rajković saved well from Domingos Duarte, yet Portugal would not be denied.

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