Riot police were forced to storm the stands during England’s 5-0 thrashing of Serbia on Tuesday evening as Serbia fans fought each other.
Thomas Tuchel’s time in charge of the Three Lions team caught a rocket in Belgrade as his team ran riot, with five different players finding the back of the net to all-but-secure their side’s spot at the World Cup next summer.
Harry Kane opened the scoring for the impressive visitors, before Noni Madueke scored his first international goal in the first half, before the pressure continued in the second period.
Then, Ezri Konsa netted and Marc Guehi put his club woes behind him to also score his first goal for his country alongside both Konsa and Madueke. Marcus Rashford wrapped up proceedings with a late penalty.
But there were issues off the field, with Serbia fans seemingly turning on each other at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
Shocking scenes saw terrified children duck for cover as parents tried to save them, with fans not holding back as they tried to get their shots in while surrounded by police.
Riot police had to enter the stands after during England’s clash with Serbia due to home fans fighting each other
The incident occurred in the second half as chants about the Serbian president were heard
The incidents took place in the second half after play had already been halted after Konsa had a lazer pen shone in his eye, but things took a turn for the worse soon after.
Reports suggests that chants aimed at president Aleksandar Vucic were heard from the stands as the violence broke out, with police rushing to break things up.
While play continued on the pitch. ITV pitch-side reporter Gabriel Clarke said the incident had been ‘unnerving for a few minutes’.
There had been concern around the crowd when the likes of Konsa and Reece James were targeted by the laser pen, which led to the stadium announcer warning fans about doing so.
A clip posted to social media showed Konsa, 27, raising his hands to his eyes while driving forward with the ball as the red lights were directed at him.
The disruption left the referee with little choice but to halt the fixture, a decision met with loud jeers by the Serbian fans.
Describing exactly what had happened on BBC Radio Five Live’s coverage of the game, former Three Lions goalkeeper Paul Robinson said: ‘Ezri Konsa immediately stopped. You could see the flash on his shirt.
‘He put his hands to his eyes. A clear green laser pen must have shone in his face.’
Terrified children had to be carried to safety, with the game already played in front of a reduced crowd in Belgrade
The crowd at the Rajko Mitic Stadium was indeed a major talking point in the build up to Tuesday’s World Cup Qualifier.
The fixture was played in front of a reduced crowd, with Serbian supporters being punished after aiming vile racist abuse at Andorra’s players earlier this year.
A whistle was also heard in the crowd, but England ultimately remained professional on the pitch and took three more points from their latest World Cup qualifier.
