The floodgates didn't just open in Lisbon; they burst wide, leaving the Serbian national team drowning in their own half. What was supposed to be a routine friendly match against Cape Verde national football team turned into a tactical disaster, a spectacle of defensive chaos that will haunt the camp for weeks. The scoreline, a stinging 3-0, tells only half the story of a performance that lacked structure, intensity, and basic organization.

A Formality for the Visitors

For Cape Verde, this was a warm-up, a controlled environment before the chaos of the upcoming World Cup. They moved with purpose, sharp and ready. For Serbia, under the watchful eye of Veljko Paunović, it was supposed to be a "punitive expedition" of sorts, a chance to test new blood. But what unfolded on the pitch was not a test; it was an examination of failure. The Eagles looked disinterested, disconnected, and dangerously exposed from the opening whistle.

Lenini Strikes, Then the Collapse

The nightmare began early. In the 11th minute, Kevin Lenini found the net, silencing any hope of a competitive start. But the real damage came later. By the 59th minute, the Serbian defense was riddled with holes. Cape Verde struck with lightning speed. Duarte capitalized on a massive defensive error, spinning through and finishing clinically to make it 2-0. The shockwaves hadn't even settled when the hammer fell again.

Just four minutes later, another counter-attack tore Serbia apart. A rebound fell kindly for Benchemol, who made no mistake. 3-0. The margin of error was zero, and Serbia failed every single time. This wasn't just a loss; it was a warning shot. The defense looked porous, the transition non-existent. If this is the baseline, the road ahead is paved with peril.