Portugal welcomed Serbia on Sunday knowing that victory in the Euro 2016 qualifier would move them to the top of Group I.
The home side took the lead after 10 minutes when Ricardo Carvalho headed a Fabio Coentrao cross into the back of the net.
Serbia were level just past the hour through Nemanja Matic, but Portugal regained the lead just two minutes later when Coentrao converted from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
7.16pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Euro 2016 qualification coverage continues from Lisbon as Portugal welcome Serbia in Group I. The home side currently sit third in the section, just one point behind the group leaders Denmark, who have played one game more. Serbia, however, are fourth in the group on just one point from three matches. This has all the makings of a fascinating affair...
7.17pmBefore anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
7.19pmTEAMS:
PORTUGAL: Patricio; Bosingwa, Alves, Carvalho, Coentrao; Moutinho, Eliseu, Tiago; Danny, Ronaldo, Nani
SERBIA: Stojkovic; Basta, Ivanovic, Nastasic, Kolarov; Petrovic, Matic; Markovic, Tadic, Ljajic; Mitrovic
7.22pmSo there we have it. Portugal boss Fernando Santos is without Real Madrid defender Pepe for this match, but it is still a team packed full of experience and quality. Jose Bosingwa and Ricardo Carvalho both start for the home team, while there is also a spot for Eliseu, who is expected to start in midfield. Zenit attacker Danny will support Nani and the skipper Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.
7.25pmSerbia, meanwhile, also select a very-recognisable XI. Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic will skipper the away side, while Matija Nastasic and Manchester City's Aleksandar Kolarov also start at the back. Chelsea's Nemanja Matic, Liverpool's Lazar Markovic and Southampton's Dusan Tadic are also included in a team that will be led by Anderlecht's 20-year-old forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.
7.28pmThese two nations have met twice since the break-up of Yugoslavia. Both of those matches came during qualification for Euro 2008 and both finished in 1-1 draws. Portugal's four previous meetings with Yugoslavia were also close, with both nations winning twice in their four matches. History suggests that this will be a close game, but Portugal have only lost one of their last 18 competitive matches on home soil.
7.31pmIt was a hugely disappointing 2014 World Cup for Portugal, with the Iberian nation failing to make it out of the group stages despite losing just one of their three matches. It got worse then they lost 1-0 at home to Albania in their first qualification match for Euro 2016, but Fernando Santos's team have since recorded victories over Denmark and Armenia to move onto six points in Group I.
7.34pmAs it stands, Portugal sit third in the group behind the leaders Denmark, but they have a game in hand over the current table-toppers and would take control of the section with all three points here. Portugal have never won a European Championship, but they have made the semi-finals three times since 1984, including in 2012. In truth, it would be a big surprise if Santos did not lead his team into Euro 2016.
7.37pmFor Serbia, however, qualification is going to be much more difficult. They opened their Group I campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Armenia, before hosting Albania on October 14, 2014, which was a game to be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The match was interrupted when a flag depicting so-called Greater Albania, was flown over the terraces and pitch. The unrest led to clashes between both sets of players, while supporters also became involved. Following the abandonment of the clash, Serbia were awarded a 3-0 walkover, but then had the three points deducted.
7.40pmSerbia returned to Group I action one month later at home to Denmark, where they were beaten 3-1 to leave them with just one point from three matches. Their next two group matches are away to Portugal and Denmark and they surely will have to win them both if they are to stand a chance of qualifying for their first European Championship as an independent nation. Tonight is just massive.
7.43pmPREDICTION! This has all the makings of a fascinating match. Portugal will fancy their chances of claiming all three points, but one look at the Serbia XI suggests that they have more than enough to record an away victory. I am just about leaning towards a home win here - 2-1 Portugal for me.
0 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch in Lisbon. It must be said that there is an excellent atmosphere inside the stadium as the home team get the first 45 minutes underway.
2 minAs expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with each member of their back four touching the ball. It seems that Eliseu has started at left-back for Portugal, with Coentrao in a midfield area. Let's hope for a cracking evening in Lisbon here.
4 minNani has the chance to open his legs down the right, but Nastasic comes across to challenge the Manchester United attacker, who is currently on loan at Sporting Lisbon. We have not seen too much from Ronaldo thus far, but the world's best player has been penalised for an aerial challenge on Petrovic.
5 minFirst half-chance for the home side as a quick free kick finds its way to Danny, but the midfielder's effort was always straight at the Serbian goalkeeper. Decent tempo to the early moments here.
7 minPortugal threaten once again as Nani delivers a dangerous cross towards Ronaldo, but Basta just does enough to clear for a corner, which is played short before being cleared. Good pressure.
9 minThe referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a number of late challenges, which has interrupted the flow. Serbia are playing some nice football inside the Portugal half, but have thus far been unable to take that next step forward.
10 minGOAL! Portugal 1-0 Serbia (Carvalho)
11 minPortugal take the lead with 10 minutes on the clock as Carvalho heads a super Coentrao cross into the back of the net following a short corner. Serbia will be kicking themselves, however, after conceding a needless corner when Basta panicked in defence. The hosts lead in Lisbon!
13 minSerbia should not have been caught with that short corner with the amount of experience that they have in their ranks. Portugal appear to have their tails up as this first period gathers pace here.
14 minHalf-chance for the away side as Tadic finds some space inside the Portugal box, but his effort is deflected wide for a corner, which Portugal manage to clear following a period of pressure.
16 minIt has been a decent response from the away side, with Markovic and Tadic both getting on the ball in forward areas. Kolarov finds space in a wide area before delivering, but Bosingwa is on hand to make the block. Portugal, however, have such a threat on the counter attack with this team.
17 minSUB! Portugal are forced into an early change here as the goal-scorer Carvalho leaves the field for Southampton defender Jose Fonte. Carvalho appears to have a hamstring problem.
19 minIn truth, neither side has created much of note since Portugal took the lead, but Serbia have started to offer more of a threat in the final third. It is shaping up to be an interesting tactical battle here.
22 minKolarov is getting plenty of space down the left for Serbia, but the Manchester City full-back has thus far been unable to produce a telling cross. Tadic has also found space to deliver a couple of crosses, but Bruno Alves has been excellent in the air thus far. Still 1-0 to the home side in Lisbon.
24 minSerbia continue to deliver crosses from wide areas, but it is fairly comfortable for Portugal, although Eliseu does concede a corner when he is forced to stretch at the far post. The resulting set piece is met by centre-back Nastasic, but his header was always moving high of Rui Patricio's crossbar.
25 minBOOKING! Matic (Serbia) is booked for kicking out at Ronaldo.
27 minThere is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, with both teams struggling to find that elusive pass in attack. Nani delivers a cross from a wide area, but it is comfortable for Stojkovic, before Eliseu deflects an attempt from Ljajic wide of the post down the other end.
28 minCHANCE! Just about Serbia's best chance of the night as Tadic dances into the final third before placing one towards the far corner, but his effort was always flashing just wide of the post.
29 minSAVE! Ronaldo comes close to scoring a second for Portugal in sensational fashion as he thumps one from outside the box, but Stojkovic flies across his goal to make a super save!
31 minAnother half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo dances into the Serbia box before attempting to square to Nani, but Nastasic is across to make an excellent block. Much better from Portugal.
33 minRonaldo is again at the heart of Portugal's attack as he drives forward before finding Nani, who flicks a pass into Coentrao, but the Real Madrid defender had just moved into an offside position.
35 minSerbia had a decent spell in the five or 10 minutes that followed Portugal's goal, but the home side have taken control in the last few minutes, with Ronaldo having more of an influence in attack.
38 minTiago tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. In truth, there is not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment. The supporters just need a passage of play to raise the volume once again in Lisbon.
40 minMoutinho shows excellent feet in a wide area before cutting inside and letting loose, but his effort was always flying over the Serbian crossbar. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
41 minBOOKINGS! Ljajic (Serbia) is booked for lashing out at Coentrao (Portugal), who also receives a card. A little bit silly between the two players there!
43 minUnfortunately, the game has become very scrappy in the last five minutes or so, with the referee being forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Portugal still lead 1-0 in Lisbon.
45 minPortugal are shading the possession as we enter the final moments of this first period and in truth, they deserve to be ahead. Serbia have so much talent, but have shown very little in the final third.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Portugal 1-0 Serbia
8.33pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Portugal leading 1-0 at the break courtesy of a 10th-minute header from Ricardo Carvalho. In truth, it has not been a great half, with chances very much at a premium. Serbia need to show more intent in the final third.
8.38pmSTATS! Portugal have shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had six attempts - three of which have been on target. Serbia, meanwhile, have failed to hit the target with any of their five attempts. There have also been three bookings during what has been a feisty first period.
8.43pmBENCH WATCH! Portugal already been forced into one change, with Fonte entering in place of Carvalho. However, the hosts still have plenty of options in the shape of William Carvalho, Andre Gomes, Ricardo Quaresma and Vierinha. Serbia, meanwhile, have the likes of Zuran Tosic, Djuricic and Skuletic.
46 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Serbia find a route back into this match? It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway in Lisbon.
47 minNo changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur as the second period gathers pace.
48 minSerbia have the chance to threaten from a set piece as Bosingwa brings Tadic to the ground in a wide position. Ljajic takes the resulting free kick, but Ronaldo is on hand to head clear.
48 minBOOKING! Kolarov (Serbia) is booked for stopping Ronaldo on the counter.
50 minSerbia are showing more intent in the early stages of this second period, as Kolarov combines with Mitrovic in a forward area. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial. Serbia might fancy winning this if they can level in the next five or 10 minutes.
52 minPossession football from Portugal in the last couple of minutes, but they are not really going anywhere as Serbia defend the edge of their own box. It is still very delicately poised here.
53 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Serbia as Tadic delivers a super ball onto the head of Mitrovic, but his effort is over the crossbar. What an opportunity for the visitors there!
54 minPortugal were down to 10 men during that last Serbia attack, with Moutinho staying down following a collision with Markovic. Serbia almost made use of the advantage, but Mitrovic could not score.
55 minMoutinho returns, but then gets hacked down by Markovic. All getting a little silly again here!
57 minMarkovic has not stopped making late challenges in this half, but the Liverpool midfielder has not yet picked up a yellow card - very strange. The referee just needs to get a grip of this one here.
59 minRonaldo takes matters into his own hands for the home side as he drives into the final third before attempting to find Nani, but Kolarov is on hand to clear. Little over 30 minutes to play in Lisbon.
61 minGOAL! Portugal 1-1 Serbia (Matic)
62 minSerbia level the scores after 61 minutes as Matic produces a stunning over-head kick from a wide position. It looked offside, but the flag stayed down. What an effort from the Chelsea midfielder!
63 minNow we shall find out a lot about Portugal. Serbia have an extra spring in their step here.
63 minNani tries his luck from outside the box, but it was always a comfortable save for Stojkovic.
63 minGOAL! Portugal 2-1 Serbia (Coentrao)
64 minIt is raining goals! Portugal regain the lead as Coentrao converts at the far post after meeting a wonderful cross from Moutinho. Super ball and a smart finish. This is more like it in Lisbon!
65 minSUB! Serbia make their first change of the match as Djuricic replaces Markovic.
66 minYou just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals in Lisbon as both defences continue to appear shaky. Again Portugal break in a wide area, but Bosingwa's cross is blocked.
68 minLittle over 20 minutes of football remaining and Serbia have just started to recover from that second Portugal goal. The visitors are a threat in wide areas as Kolarov and Tadic continue to combine.
70 minGood opportunity for Portugal to score a third as Petrovic loses possession on the edge of his own box, but Coentrao sees his low strike blocked for a corner. Moments before, Ronaldo had attempted to feed a pass into Danny, but it was too strong for the midfielder. Good spell for the home side.
73 minThis game is so delicately poised at the moment with still more than 15 minutes of football to play in Lisbon. Both teams are exchanging spells in possession without creating too many openings.
75 minCHANCE! Best Serbian chance for some time as Ljajic shows excellent feet in a wide area before finding Djuricic, but the midfielder's powerful effort is blocked en route to goal.
77 minKolarov remains a threat in a wide area as he drives past two challenges, but Bosingwa is on hand to clear for a corner, which is also headed clear. Petrovic strikes one from outside the box moments later, but it is a fairly comfortable save for the Portuguese goalkeeper, who gathers into his chest.
78 minSUB! Portugal make their second change as Quaresma replaces Coentrao.
78 minSUB! Serbia also make their second change as Tosic replaces Tadic.
80 minLittle over 10 minutes of normal time remaining in Lisbon and the home side still lead 2-1. Serbia are making a lot of mistakes at the back here, which is inviting Portugal to press high up the field.
82 minBOOKING! Tosic (Serbia) is booked for a late challenge on Moutinho.
83 minNani has had plenty of chances to deliver from wide areas this evening, but the Manchester United winger has struggled to find a red shirt. Portugal are just about edging this at the moment.
85 minSUB! Serbia make their third change as Skuletic replaces Ljajic.
86 minSUB! Portugal follow with their final change as William Carvalho replaces Danny.
88 minI hope some of you listened to my pre-match prediction! It is coming in at the moment! There might be three or four minutes added on at the end of the match, however. Still 2-1 to the hosts.
89 minCLOSE! Portugal come close to scoring a third as Nani's cross deflects towards the near post, but it just edges behind for a corner, which is taken short as the hosts retain the ball.
90 min+1BOOKING! Djuricic (Serbia) is booked for a really poor tackle on Ronaldo.
90 min+2We are into the second of four added minutes in Lisbon.
90 min+2Ronaldo rises to his feet after being chopped down to take the resulting free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall. Portugal are in charge of the possession as we approach the final moments.
90 min+2BOOKING! Moutinho (Portugal) is booked for stopping a counter.
90 min+4Portugal are heading to the top of Group I as Serbia lose possession in the final third once again.
90 min+4Half-chance for Serbia as Skuletic meets a cross from the right, but his header was always comfortable for the home side's goalkeeper, who releases down-field towards Ronaldo.
90 min+5FULL-TIME: Portugal 2-1 Serbia
9.37pmSo there we have it. Goals from Carvalho and Coentrao help Portugal record a 2-1 win over Serbia, who remain on one point in the group. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
