Serbia see off Armenia for first win

• Serbia claim first Group I win at expense of Armenia in Novi Sad
• Levon Hayrapetyan's own goal puts Serbia in front (22)
• Adem Ljajić taps in after Aleksandar Kolarov's shot is saved (53)
• Eliminated Serbia join Armenia on one point, but neither can now qualify
• Next games: Albania v Serbia, Armenia v Denmark (7 September)

Serbia recorded their first win in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying at the sixth attempt, easing past Armenia in Novi Sad as a goal in each half ended their opponents' faint hopes of progressing from Group I.

Bottom of the section at kick-off, Serbia started positively and barely relented throughout the first period. They might have taken the lead with just eight minutes on the clock, Adem Ljajić – a lively presence down the left – supplying a cross that Filip Kostić turned against the crossbar.

The opening goal, in the 22nd minute, also originated down the left, Kostić delivering a cross to the back post where a combination of Andrija Živković and defender Levon Hayrapetyan pushed the the ball over the line.

It might have been more before half-time, Aleksandar Mitrović firing over having held off a defender and Ljajić twice being denied by Gevorg Kasparov after cutting inside.

An own goal from Levon Hayrapetyan (right) gave Serbia the lead©AFP/Getty Images

The cushion was increased eight minutes after the interval, however, despite Kasparov's best efforts; the goalkeeper parried an Aleksandar Kolarov effort after yet another attack down the left, but this time Ljajić was there to snap up the rebound.

In a match played behind closed doors, Serbia were thereafter content to preserve their victory, rarely threatening until the closing stages. Then substitute Zoran Tošić's vicious half-volley struck the upright before Mitrović sliced wide with the goal at his mercy, and two goals would have to suffice.