Serbia 2-3 Switzerland: Murat Yakin's men hold on to victory and seal their spot in the last-16, with Remo Freuler's brilliant team goal the difference in fiery clash with European rivals
- Switzerland booked their place in the last-16 with a thrilling victory over Serbia
- Xherdan Shaqiri scored the opening goal and celebrated in front of Serbian fans
- Serbia went ahead through goals by Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic
- Breel Embolo put the sides level before Remo Freuler scored after the break
- Switzerland will now go on to face Portugal in the last-16 on Tuesday evening
Switzerland's World Cup journey continues after they came from behind to beat Serbia 3-2 in a crazy five goal thriller marred by second-half crowd trouble.
Victory for Switzerland confirmed their passage into the Round of Sixteen for the third successive World Cup, where they will face Portugal, whilst Serbia depart the tournament bottom of Group G.
However the joyous celebrations for Switzerland were blemished by crowd trouble in the stands early into the second half, with a FIFA announcement over the PA warning fans about the chanting of discriminatory and political language from within the stands towards the end of the game.
![Switzerland have reached the last-16 after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Serbia on Friday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188053-11491473-image-a-94_1670015545444.jpg)
Switzerland have reached the last-16 after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Serbia on Friday night
![At one stage Serbia looked like they would head through after taking a 2-1 lead over Switzerland](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65185613-11491473-image-a-95_1670015755360.jpg)
At one stage Serbia looked like they would head through after taking a 2-1 lead over Switzerland
![Goals from Breel Embolo and Remo Freuler (pictured) ensured Switzerland went through](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188169-11491473-image-a-96_1670015775635.jpg)
Goals from Breel Embolo and Remo Freuler (pictured) ensured Switzerland went through
![Tensions appeared to boil over towards the end of the match as the likes of Granit Xhaka, Embolo and Nikola Milenkovic were involved in a confrontation which needed separating](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188153-11491473-image-a-97_1670015796087.jpg)
Tensions appeared to boil over towards the end of the match as the likes of Granit Xhaka, Embolo and Nikola Milenkovic were involved in a confrontation which needed separating
![Aleksandar Mitrovic was dejected after the game as Serbia's tournament had come to an end](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188159-11491473-image-a-98_1670015865002.jpg)
Aleksandar Mitrovic was dejected after the game as Serbia's tournament had come to an end
This was in response to apparent monkey chants that could be heard from certain sections of the stadium, something Serbia head coach Dragan Stojkovic was unaware was happening.
'I have no idea what happened really,' Stojkovic said. 'I can't tell you what happened. I didn't hear it, in my position I was focusing on the gam, and didn't hear the announcement.'
Switzerland came into their final Group G encounter knowing that, if Cameroon failed to beat group winners Brazil, then they would be progressing to the Round of Sixteen for the third consecutive World Cup.
Serbia, who sat bottom of the group with one point, knew only a win would do for them.
After Stojkovic's side dictated the early flow of the game, it was the Swiss that struck the first blow of the match to take the lead twenty minutes in.
Ricardo Rodriguez's low cross was cleared only as far as Djibril Sow, the midfielder immediately teed up Xherdan Shaqiri who, via a deflection, fired past Milinkovic-Savic for his twenty-sixth goal for his country to silence the Serbian supporters.
But it didn't take long for Serbia to respond, and they levelled the match seven minutes later through Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Dusan Tadic was afforded too much time on the Switzerland right-hand side and was able to execute a superb cross onto the head of the oncoming Mitrovic, who delicately flicked the ball past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into the side netting.
![The tempo for the first-half was set from the get-go with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic making an incredible double save to keep his side ahead in the opening minute of the contest](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65184587-11491473-image-a-100_1670015905614.jpg)
The tempo for the first-half was set from the get-go with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic making an incredible double save to keep his side ahead in the opening minute of the contest
![Xherdan Shaqiri put Switzerland ahead and quickly went to celebrate in front of the Serbia fans who had been whistling him throughout the game before he was substituted](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65185593-11491473-image-m-102_1670015942292.jpg)
Xherdan Shaqiri put Switzerland ahead and quickly went to celebrate in front of the Serbia fans who had been whistling him throughout the game before he was substituted
![Mitrovic found the back of the net with a glancing header to get Serbia an equaliser](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188315-11491473-image-a-114_1670016082081.jpg)
Mitrovic found the back of the net with a glancing header to get Serbia an equaliser
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188331-11491473-image-a-115_1670016129934.jpg)
Dusan Vlahovic scored a brilliant goal to put Serbia ahead though he was replaced early
The game was suddenly turned on its head as the Eagles took the lead in the 35th minute. A loose ball after a mistake from Shaqiri fell to the feet of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, and the forward repaired the faith shown in him by his manager as he spun and fired into the bottom corner to give the Serbian's a deserved lead.
This topsy-turvy encounter took another twist as Switzerland found themselves back on level terms on the stroke of half-time. The Swiss were able to work the ball out to the right-hand side, fullback Silvan Widmer was afforded too much time before firing across the box to the on-rushing Breel Embolo, who tapped in for his second of the tournament.
Swiss head coach Murat Yakin was full of admiration for the determination his side showed to get back into the match.
'We're happy to have found a way back into the game,' Yakin said. 'It was important for us to focus on the game, before a lot were talking about the situation and we faced that challenge.
![Breel Embolo scored a vital goal just before the half-time break to put Switzerland level](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65185625-11491473-image-a-116_1670016148880.jpg)
Breel Embolo scored a vital goal just before the half-time break to put Switzerland level
![Freuler then secured the victory for Switzerland with a brilliant team goal after the break](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65186243-11491473-image-a-117_1670016182502.jpg)
Freuler then secured the victory for Switzerland with a brilliant team goal after the break
![Switzerland players celebrate after the match and will now face Portugal on Monday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188051-11491473-image-a-118_1670016206429.jpg)
Switzerland players celebrate after the match and will now face Portugal on Monday
'We scored the necessary goals at the right moment.'
The drama didn't stop there as three minutes after the break, the Rossocrociati were back in front. Remo Freuler was able to get onto Ruben Vargas' deft flick before sending Milinkovic-Savic the wrong way and sliding the ball into the bottom right corner to the raptures of the Swiss supporters.
This was the second consecutive match that Serbia had been ahead at some point before conceding three, unacceptable in the eyes of Stojkovic.
'You attack and defend as a team. We reversed the result after going behind, but after we didn't defend well and it was easy for the Swiss to score a second goal which shocked us'
![There was contrasting emotions for the two sets of players with Serbia now heading home](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188409-11491473-image-a-119_1670016298998.jpg)
There was contrasting emotions for the two sets of players with Serbia now heading home
![Arsenal midfielder Xhaka exchanges words with Serbia keeper Milinkovic-Savic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188449-11491473-image-a-120_1670016316235.jpg)
Arsenal midfielder Xhaka exchanges words with Serbia keeper Milinkovic-Savic
![It is the second time that Serbia have been knocked out thanks to a defeat to Switzerland](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/02/21/65188383-11491473-image-a-121_1670016333848.jpg)
It is the second time that Serbia have been knocked out thanks to a defeat to Switzerland
There were calls for a Serbian penalty midway through the second-half after Mitrovic believed he was fouled by Fabian Schar, but referee Fernando Rapallini waived away all appeals, to the disbelief of the Serbian bench.
In the seventy-seventh minute, a PA announcement came on around the Stadium 974, warning fans about the chanting of discriminatory and political language from within the stands. This was the first incident of such crowd behaviour to happen so far this World Cup, which up until now had been praised for the well-behaved nature behaviour of fans.
Despite late pressure from the Eagles, Switzerland hung on for all three points and qualification for the knockout stages, where they will face Group H winners Portugal. Serbia's World Cup journey ends with only a solitary point to their name.
Re-live all the action from the night with Sportsmail's Kieran Lynch below
Netherlands vs USA
Argentina vs Australia
France vs Poland
England vs Senegal
Japan vs Croatia
Brazil vs South Korea
Morocco vs Spain
Portugal vs Switzerland
Switzerland are into the last-16 where they will meet Portugal after an incredible game.
For the second tournament in a row it's disappointment for Serbia who have again lost to Switzerland.
There's some emotions being shown after the game with Xhaka not happy with one or two Serbia players.
Late free-kick for Serbia as Schar puts in a challenge on Milinkovic.
Resulting free-kick comes to nothing though. Okafor tries to hit Serbia on the counter but the Serbians defend well.
We're in the 100th minute surely not long left now.
The excellent Embolo is replaced by Okafor.
Reaction from Milinkovic! Granit Xhaka is involved and it's a fiery finish to the game.
Zakaria looks to get involved too and he gets a telling off from his team-mate Ajanki. Embolo is trying to calm Mitrovic down.
Xhaka and Milinkovic both get bookings and Mitrovic is still having a go at Xhaka.
It's all kicking off! Meanwhile Cameroon have the lead against Brazil!
89 mins: Great vision by Fernandes who finds the substitute Fassnacht who takes too much time which allows the Serbian keeper to close him down.
87 mins: Serbia's fire and energy from the first-half is non-existent at the moment and Switzerland look in a very comfortable position.
Unless Serbia can find something from somewhere, it looks like Switzerland will play Portugal in the Round of 16.
83 mins: Not a bad free-kick from Akanji whose swinging free-kick goes into the side netting. Surprised it wasn't Xhaka who took it but the Man City defender put in a good effort.
Meanwhile Vargas is off for Fassnacht.
82 mins: Gudelj gets a booking after he fouls Embolo on the edge of the box. He will miss the next game if Serbia mount a comeback.
Switzerland with a free-kick in an excellent position.
Meanwhile Mitrovic also has a yellow - a sign of Serbia's irritation for how things are going as he complains to the referee.
ITV reporting that a message has been played in the stadium asking fans to refrain from any offensive gestures.
Meanwhile Serbia are looking to the bench with Tadic and Zivkovic off for Duricic and Randonjic.
Surprised Tadic has come off even if spaces have started to close in on him in this half after his electric first half.
Serbia looking less effective up front with Vlahovic already off.
74 mins: Serbia dominating possession but lacking a bit of cutting-edge at the moment. Maybe a bit of nerves coming in with less than 20 minutes to go.
70 mins: Shaqiri elbows the plexiglass on the Swiss dug-out.
Meanwhile Kostic looks to cross the ball into the box but Zakaria with the defensive play is able to clear the ball up-field.
Those changes by Switzerland almost appear to be them looking to consolidate their 3-2 lead.
A cross is played into Mitrovic who gets a shove on the back and he in turn shoves the Swiss player in front of him and a foul is harshly given against him.
Sow and Shaqiri are off and replaced by Fernandes and Zakaria.
Lots of whistles for Shaqiri who scored once again for the Swiss against Serbia.
Milinkovic-Savic is off and Maksimovic is on in his place.
66 mins: Mitrovic goes down in the penalty box and he wants a penalty but nothing is given!
It's a great 1-2 with Tadic and there's a slight tug of the arm but it's rather theatrical and it's never going to be given.
The referee has to tell all the Serbian substitute's to sit down as they voice their protests and there's a yellow card which could be for anybody on their bench.
Bit of a waste of time - 25 minutes to get back into the game plus stoppage time.
Meanwhile Embolo and Kostic are exchanging words as the Swiss player looks like he is trying to calm things down.
64 mins: Jovic controls the ball at the top of the box and Serbia keep the ball alive until Tadic's shot is blazed well clear of the crossbar.
Not long after Kostic puts in a dangerous ball but the Swiss keeper reads it well and gets ahead of Mitrovic.
58 mins: Massive chance for Serbia it appeared as Embolo fired over the bar from just yards out only for the offside flag to go up to his relief.
It would have been one of the misses, if not the miss, of the tournament. Well, alongside Romelu Lukaku atleast.
Pavlovic gets a booking which would rule him out of Serbia's next match if they go through.
55 mins: Big task ahead for Serbia now they need two goals to have any chance of going through.
Some of you may have noticed that ITV's commentary seems to be behind the picture! They reacted to Freuler's goal five seconds before it went in here.
Meanwhile, Brazil are still 0-0 with Cameroon.
Vlahovic is off and Luka Jovic is on to see if he can make an impact. Gudelj also replaces Veljkovic.
Switzerland are ahead and Serbia need two goals!
It's a long ball forward which Switzerland can't deal with and the ball gets flicked on to Freuler to put Switzerland ahead.
Massive goal.
46 mins: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with a cruncher on Granit Xhaka and it's no surprise to see him get a yellow card.
Serbia get us going for a vital 45 minutes. They need a goal and win the match to qualify ahead of Switzerland.
Tadic crosses the ball into the path of Mitrovic who hits it horrible first-time on the volley and it hits the arm of a Swiss defender but it was far too close to be given.
Moments later the half-time whistle goes to bring to an end one of the best halves of football you'll see this at the World Cup.
Chance for a breather!
Ajanki gets a vital touch on the ball as Kostic looks to play the ball in behind to Vlahovic.
Then at the other end Embolo levels the score! What a game!
Some brilliant interplay by the Swiss as Sow plays the ball out wide to Widmer who finds Embolo to score his second goal of the World Cup - and a goal which puts them back in second spot.
41 mins: The size of Vlahovic and Mitrovic is causing all sorts of problems for Switzerland along with Tadic. Mitrovic is dropping into pockets giving room for his attacking team-mates.
Something they will need to address in the second-half if they go in behind.
Rodriguez and Vargas are causing Serbia some problems off the left flank with some dangerous balls and runs in-behind.
What a goal!
It all comes from Shaqiri giving the ball away and there's some more brilliant work from Tadic who finds Vlahovic who wrong-foots the keeper sending him the wrong way and it's a brilliant finish from the Juventus man.
As it stands - Serbia will be going through! Significant goal.
Dangerous cross from Zivkovic into the path of Mitrovic but the Fulham man can't get onto the end of it.
Meanwhile there's another yellow for Switzerland after Vargas caught Zivkovic with a late challenge.
31 mins: Lovely ball by Rodriguez who plays a ball over the top to Shaqiri and his first touch isn't the greatest and he fires wide under pressure from the Serbian defence.
It was a huge chance for the ex-Liverpool man to double his account for the evening.
It was a lovely first-time strike by Shaqiri but they weren't in front for that long.
It's that man Tadic again causing problems and he finds Mitrovic in the box who glances a header into the back of the net.
Serbia are back in business! They had a thriller against Cameroon - it looks like another so far!
26 mins: Lovely spin on the edge of the box from Tadic but he can't quite thread a ball through to one of Serbia's strikers.
Embolo relieves the pressure by winning a free-kick on the half-way line.
24 mins: It's all Switzerland now. Xhaka had a shot from the edge of the area go straight at the keeper which would have doubled the pain for Serbia fans.
While Embolo couldn't quite break through into the box.
It had to be him!
The man who scored a 90th minute winner against Serbia in 2018 has only done it again!
Against the run of play and Switzerland are in a good position to finish second.
Rodriguez's cross didn't find anyone but Sow layed it off for Shaqiri who hit it first time with his left foot and the Serbian keeper didn't stand a chance.
He loves international tournaments!
17 mins: Brilliant work by Tadic on the left who weaves his way through a couple of players and finds Kostic though the latter's cross into the box is not good enough.
At the other end Embolo runs at the Serbian defence only for Milinkovic-Savic to put in an excellent tackle. Embolo looks at the referee but it was more in hope of a foul.
15 mins: Widmer goes into the referee's book after pulling back Kostic.
It gives Serbia a chance to put a dangerous cross into the box but it hits the first man and Switzerland clear.
11 mins: Zivkovic unleashes a shot across goal that cannoned off the post, and the rebound hit Vlahovic and back into the arms of reserve goalkeeper Kobel.
Incredible start to the game and both teams could be ahead
How close they were to the perfect start!
8 mins: Serbia's front two of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic are giving the Swiss defence a lot to think about.
First time they've started together at this World Cup and they will be a big threat from set pieces.
5 mins: The corner is played in and it's headed wide by Nikola Milenkovic.
Big whistles by the way for Shaqiri and would expect Xhaka gets the same following their 2018 clash...
4 mins: Serbia now looking dangerous, Tadic sent the ball into the box which was headed away with the dangerous Mitrovic and Vlahovic lurking in the box.
Tadic tries again and wins a corner.
1 min: Less than a minute and how have Switzerland not scored!
They were on the attack straight away and forced keeper Vanja Milinković-Savić into a double-save.
Embolo had a close range shot saved before Xhaka had one blocked and then a further shot from outside the box was saved.
What a start!
Off we go! Serbia in red and Switzerland in white. Big 90 minutes ahead.
And it's time for the national anthems starting with Serbia...
As the teams get ready to come out here are the starting line-ups
Serbia: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Pavlovic, Zivkovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Lukic, Kostic, Tadic, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Vlahovic
Switzerland: Kobel, Widmer, Akanji, Schar, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas, Embolo
All to play for! Switzerland know a win will secure them qualification. Serbia hope a win will do the same.
Lots of twists and turns to come throughout the evening in the battle for second in Group G.
Decent record for the Fulham man and he's part of a very attacking line-up this evening
The World Cup always brings the wild and wacky outfits in the grandstands and today there's a Swiss fan dressing as a cow and a Serbian who is getting into the Christmas spirit.
Surely the first time a Christmas hat has been seen at a World Cup match?
Both sets of players are making their way out of the tunnel into an electric atmosphere as they get their warm-ups underway.
Some intense looking Serbia players who are well aware of what they need to do and Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel is also pictured in the third image below. Big game for him tonight as he comes in for the ill Sommer.
It's all smiles in the grandstands with just over half an hour to go but in a couple of hour's time we will be saying goodbye to one, potentially both, of these nations.
Dusan Tadic and Granit Xhaka will lead the teams out onto the pitch and hopefully we are in for a cracker of a game as the group stage reaches its conclusion.
Switzerland's preparations have been hampered by a virus sweeping through their squad this week - talk about poor timing!
That is why goalkeeper Yann Sommer and defender Nico Elvedi are not in the starting line-up today.
In their place comes Gregor Kobel in goal and Fabian Schar who starts alongside Manuel Akanji at the back.
This is despite Swiss manager Murat Yakin saying in his pre-match press conference on Thursday that he expects them to be better today after 'heavy colds'.
Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic has vowed to get on the front foot and attack Switzerland in his side's decisive final World Cup group game.
They must beat the Swiss to have any hope of progressing to the last 16 at Qatar 2022.
'It is going to be a difficult match, but we need to decide on our destiny,' said Stojkovic. Have no dilemma, we will do our best.
'You can't win if you don't attack. We intend to play attacking football without forgetting to defend ourselves.
'We know that Switzerland are a very well-organised team and this is a game of patience in which a lot of factors can be decisive, but in order to win you need to attack.'
Fulham forward Mitrovic added: 'We believe in ourselves and in what we do and I'm quite convinced that if we play the best we can, that we will go through to the next stage.'
Kobel, Widmer, Akanji, Schar, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, Shaqiri, Sow, Vargas, Embolo
Subs: Fernandes, Zakaria, Seferovic, Steffen, Omlin, Aebischer, Fassnacht, Comert, Okafor, Frei, Rieder, Jashari.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Pavlovic, Zivkovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Lukic, Kostic, Tadic, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Vlahovic
Subs: Dmitrovic, Erakovic, Maksimovic, Radonjic, Gudelj, Jovic, Rajkovic, Stefan Mitrovic, Babic, Racic, Djuricic, Lazovic, Ilic, Mladenovic, Grujic
Players have arrived at Stadium 974 with Christian Fassnacht and Fabian Rieder of Switzerland pictured below. As well an image of Serbia players inspecting the pitch - stadium staff might want to turn on the lights though before the game starts!
Swiss fans are already taking their seats some 90 minutes away from kick-off and they look to be in positive spirits ahead of their team's big match.
And so they should be going by the current group standings!
A win and they're through, a draw - and they'll be hoping Brazil don't slip up!
The two sides met at the 2018 World Cup where the Swiss came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to a 90th minute winning goal from Xherdan Shaqiri.
Serbia have lost their final group stage match at their last three World Cup participations as an independent nation - conceding at least twice in each defeat.
Switzerland meanwhile have not lost their final group game in any of their last four World Cup participations (W2 D2).
But after their 1-0 defeat to Brazil, they are looking to avoid consecutive losses at the World Cup for the first time since 1994 (losing to Colombia and Spain.
And finally Serbia's draw with Cameroon was the first time they have scored three in any World Cup match. If they can do that today but avoid conceding three, then they could very well be lining up against Portugal on Tuesday evening.
Here is the Swiss dressing room under two hours away from kick-off. Team news should be in sometime within the next half hour.
Uruguay could not find another goal against Ghana which means South Korea are into the last-16 on goals scored.
Luis Suarez is on the bench in tears!
South Korea will face the winners of Group G, while Portugal will face whoever finishes as runner-up tonight.
Hwang Hee-Chan of Wolves has scored in stoppage time and South Korea have beaten Portugal 2-1 and will reach the last-16 unless Uruguay can find one more goal against Ghana....
Seven more minutes for the South American nation to find a goal
It will be Serbia who wear their home kit and those shirts have been pressed and hung up inside the dressing room ready for Dragan Stojkovic's side.
If Serbia fail to qualify today they could look back at Monday's clash with Cameroon as the deciding factor.
Quite simply the game of the tournament as Serbia threw away a 3-1 lead to be held to a point against the African side.
Click below to re-live the events of Monday's incredible match.
There was a point last night where both Spain and Germany were heading out of the World Cup - but in the end it was just Hansi Flick's side who went home.
Japan's winner against Spain - which knocked Germany out - had controversy surrounding it over whether the ball went out of play before it was put in the back of the net.
FIFA have released new images to show that the right decision was made following the confusion over last night's events.
It was just the latest in a World Cup of twists and surprise outcomes, could we see any more in the final group stage to reach its conclusion tonight?
Capacity: 44,089
Serbia's fixture against Switzerland will take place at Stadium 974 in Doha.
The stadium takes its name from being built using 974 recycled shipping containers and is the World Cup's first ever temporary ground. It will be dismantled immediately after the tournament is completed.
This will be the fifth group stage match it hosts and it will hold just one more knockout match in the last-16 on Monday, which will be Brazil vs Uruguay as it stands.
Both countries are more than 600 miles apart but when they go head-to-head tonight, it will reignite a rivalry that boiled over at the last World Cup in 2018.
When Switzerland's Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri scored in the 2-1 victory in 2018, they both celebrated their goals by putting their hands together to make a two-headed eagle sign - a reference to the flag of Albania.
It was a controversial act and polarised opinion as FIFA fined the pair 10,000 Swiss Francs each (£8,700 each) for political provocation, alongside a fine of 54,000 Swiss Francs (roughly £47,000) to Serbia's federation for discriminatory banners and chants.
Shaqiri and Xhaka's parents are from the now-independent Kosovo, an ethnically Albanian state that was involved in the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s - a series of conflicts after which the former Yugoslavia was divided into independently governed countries. The last to gain independence was Kosovo, which had been under Serbian control and who still refuse to acknowledge them as a public state.
Thousands died in the Kosovo war from 1998-1999 and over a million were displaced.
Meanwhile, Serbia boss Dragan Stojkovic and keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic have refused to comment on a flag controversy in the past week which has prompted FIFA to launch disciplinary proceedings.
The governing body stepped in after images emerged of a nationalist flag in the Serbian dressing room ahead of their opening World Cup clash with Brazil which included Kosovo in a map of the country and the words 'no surrender'.
The first two games of the day have reached half-time and Portugal are still being held to a 1-1 draw with South Korea. Ricardo Horta gave the Portuguese the lead before Kim Young-Gwon bagged an equaliser.
In the other game, Luis Suarez has had a hand again for Uruguay against Ghana, contributing to both goals which have been scored by Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
So as it stands, Brazil currently look set to face Uruguay in the last-16, while Portugal will face whoever finishes second in Group G which is currently Switzerland.
Still the second-half of Group H games and the final Group G matches to play though and going by last night's matches the situation could easily change around in a flash!
Brazil have safely made it to the knockouts as they bid for a first World Cup triumph for 20 years. They still need a point against Cameroon on Friday to confirm their spot as Group G winners, though even a defeat could well be enough.
Currently in pole position to join Brazil are Switzerland in second. A win over Serbia will see them progress to the last 16. A draw could also be enough, assuming Cameroon don't beat Brazil by two goals or more.
Cameroon have to beat Brazil to qualify. However, even then it's not entirely straightforward. If Switzerland and Serbia draw, Cameroon would need to beat Brazil by two goals to qualify - or by one, assuming Switzerland don't exceed their total of goals scored.
Should Serbia beat Switzerland, however, Cameroon will need to ensure their goal difference - currently one better than Serbia - remains that way at least. If both Cameroon and Serbia win and end up on the same goal difference, Serbia will go through on goals scored.
Finally, Serbia have to beat Switzerland to go through. They also need to better Cameroon's result against Brazil.
Dusan Vlahovic has not been seen much for Serbia so far during the World Cup, with reports from the country suggesting this was due to him having an affair with the wife of national reserve goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
Safe to say he was not happy about the reports and he wasted no time during Serbia's pre-match press conference to address the rumours.
Will be interesting to see if the Juventus forward makes his first start for Serbia at the World Cup later today - in a game they simply have to win.
The matches have got underway in Group H and we're about mid-way through the first-half in both games.
Portugal are being held 1-1 by South Korea while Uruguay have taken the lead against Ghana - just moments after the African nation missed a penalty like they did in 2010!
That would send Uruguay through unless Ghana can pull a goal back.
You can follow all the updates from Ghana vs Uruguay below.
Brazil just need a point to guarantee top spot though their superior goal difference to Switzerland makes it unlikely that they will drop to second place.
It's all about the battle for second which Switzerland have the edge thanks to their 1-0 victory over Cameroon.
Serbia could end up kicking themselves that they relinquished a 3-1 lead against the African nation.
Results so far
Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon
Brazil 2-0 Serbia
Cameroon 3-3 Serbia
Brazil 1-0 Switzerland
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Serbia's final group game match-up with Switzerland, with both sides holding out hope of progressing into the knockout stages.
There is a three-way battle to finish second behind Brazil in Group G - with Switzerland currently in pole position.
Serbia need a victory to stand any chance of progression, while Switzerland will be quietly confident that a draw will be enough given that Cameroon face Brazil.
However, in a tournament of upsets, both sides will have to be wary about what the African nation can pull off in their clash against the tournament favourites.
Sportsmail's Kieran Lynch with you for all the build-up, team-news and updates, with kick-off at 7pm GMT.
Most watched Sport videos
- Footy commentator's famous housemate reveals her embarrassing habits
- Tim Lovejoy and 'Hells Bells' reunite for Mail podcast Soccer A-Z
- Dolphins Coach McDaniel walks into press conference with new look
- Anthony Albanese's awkward gaffe at NRL Hall of Fame gala evening
- Jason Whitlock on Angel Reese 'attaching her brand to Caitlin Clark'
- NBA legend and Olympic champion Steph Curry endorses Kamala Harris
- Ana Barbosu reveals rift with Olympics teammate due to medal dispute
- Chelsea train despite ongoing squad size troubles
- Sean Strickland reveals Megan Fox sent him 'f***ed up' message
- Cocky baseball fan and man at Padres-Twins game get into brutal fight
- Cristiano Ronaldo launches YouTube channel
- Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca stresses on Noni Madueke's performance
Host commentator