Watch: Is Aleksandar Mitrovic's the most exquisite header of World Cup 2022?
Andros Townsend has been a commentary revelation during World Cup 2022 – but one comment during Serbia vs Switzerland might have changed Arsenal fans' minds on him
Mitro's on fire. Your defence is terrified.
For a man who people who constantly question whether he can deliver in the Premier League, Aleksandar Mitrovic scores some stunning goals – and this one is another fine example.
The Fulham frontman got the perfect touch to Dusan Tadic's superb left-footed cross, simply nodding it into the far end of the net to equalise for the Serbian side. Is it the best headed goal of the tournament? You decide…
WHAT A HEADER! Who else but Aleksandar Mitrović 🇷🇸#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/S44rkTFI3JDecember 2, 2022
Amid all the talk of political tension between the two sides, this game opened frantically. Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic made a quick double-save seconds into the match before midfielder Andrija Zivkovic smashed the post, with Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel immensely grateful for a rebound that found its way to him. Typically for this game, Xherdan Shaqiri had to score the opener.
Former Stoke, Liverpool and Inter Milan star Shaqiri was one of the more talked-about players in the run-up to this one – given his 10,000-franc fine four years ago for celebrating against Serbia – and after a comfortable left-footed bolt into the net, he celebrated with a finger to his lips to silence the opposing fans whistling and booing him.
The game soon turned on its head. Mitrovic scored – and just 10 minutes later, Dusan Vlahovic in his first start of the competition capitalised on a defensive error from the Swiss to roll the ball past Kobel to give Serbia an all-important lead, putting a finger to his lips, too.
Barring a shock win from Cameroon against Brazil, the winner of Serbia and Switzerland will face Portugal in the last-16.
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Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.