England’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia didn’t just bring drama on the pitch—it also brought chaos in the stands.
The match had to be stopped temporarily in the first half after Serbian fans began shining laser pointers at England players, creating a heated and unsettling atmosphere.
Fans’ Frustrations Spill Over
Tensions in Belgrade were already high after England stormed into a 2-0 lead.
Harry Kane struck first, followed by Noni Madueke, who celebrated his very first goal for the national team.
With the home crowd growing restless, some supporters turned their anger toward England’s defenders.
Reece James and Ezri Konsa were among those targeted by distracting laser beams from the stands.
Konsa Caught in the Spotlight
At one point, a viral clip showed Ezri Konsa shielding his eyes as he carried the ball forward, the bright green light clearly visible on his shirt.
The referee had no choice but to halt the match, which was met by loud jeers from the Serbian fans.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, commenting live for BBC Radio Five Live, described the moment vividly: “Konsa immediately stopped.
You could see the flash. He had to put his hands to his eyes—it was a laser pen right in his face.”
A Hostile Crowd with History
The atmosphere inside the Rajko Mitic Stadium was already a big talking point leading into the game.
Serbian fans had been punished with reduced attendance after racist abuse was directed at Andorra’s players earlier this year.
England captain Harry Kane had been clear in his pre-match press conference: if he and his teammates faced racist abuse, they would walk off the pitch.
He reminded everyone that UEFA protocols were in place and insisted England knew exactly how to respond if needed.
England Keep Their Composure
Despite the hostile environment, Thomas Tuchel’s men never lost focus.
They silenced the crowd with a commanding 5-0 victory.
Kane opened the scoring early before a classy flick from Morgan Rogers set up Madueke’s debut goal.
Konsa then added his name to the scoresheet with his first international strike, followed by Marc Guehi, who also netted his maiden goal for England.
Marcus Rashford later put the finishing touch on the win, coolly slotting home a penalty.
Group Leaders March On
The victory keeps England firmly at the top of their qualifying group with 15 points and just three games left to play.
It was a performance that showed resilience under pressure, composure in a heated atmosphere, and no signs of being rattled by either lasers or jeers.