Can Denmark finish their World Cup qualification with a win? Preview of the match against Serbia, June 9
Serbia (W)
Denmark (W)
On Tuesday, June 9, the official match of the final, 6th round of the women's World Cup elite League A qualification will take place at the Football Association of Serbia Sports Complex in Stara Pazova, featuring the national teams of Serbia and Denmark. This showdown carries significant weight in the race for a direct ticket to the World Cup in Brazil, even though the rivals are at opposite ends of the table. The Danes have arrived in the Balkans as sole leaders of the group, needing just one confident step to secure the top spot, while the Serbian side is aiming to bow out with dignity and redeem themselves in front of their home fans after a disappointing qualification campaign.
Serbia, under the guidance of Lidija Stojkanović, has endured a lackluster qualifying run, managing to collect just a single point from five matches—thanks to a goalless spring draw with Sweden. The coaching staff has been methodically working to address chronic tactical lapses in defense, which, under relentless pressure from the group's heavyweights, have repeatedly been exposed—conceding 13 goals in five games, including a recent home defeat to Italy. The hosts plan to build their game around crowding the central areas, tightly marking the Danish leaders with physical defending, and maintaining a compact low block, aiming to deprive the technically gifted Danes of space in the final third.
Denmark, under their coaching staff, has showcased powerful, balanced, and pragmatic football, topping Group A1 with 11 points and remaining unbeaten. The squad is in excellent form following a crucial June victory over Sweden (2-1), but their motivation remains sky-high, as Italy's relentless pursuit leaves no room for complacency. The Scandinavian team's main tactical weapons are explosive wing play, high-intensity team pressing, and the outstanding chemistry of their attacking trio—Sofie Bredgaard, Pernille Harder, and Amalie Vangsgaard—who already defeated Serbia 3-1 in March.
The clash in Stara Pazova promises total football and territorial dominance from Denmark right from the opening whistle. The Danes will take control of possession, orchestrate sustained positional pressure, and unleash aggressive counter-pressing at the slightest turnover, forcing Serbia to retreat deep into their own half. The Serbian players will have to expend enormous energy chasing the ball, which will inevitably lead to lapses in concentration in the second half. Given the vast difference in player quality, the tactical discipline of the Scandinavians, and their burning desire to seal World Cup qualification ahead of schedule, the visitors will create a flurry of chances and secure a convincing win on merit.
Prediction
I believe both teams will deliver an entertaining, high-scoring match: the history of their head-to-heads could play a role here. My prediction: total over (2.5) at 1.6
