England’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Serbia in Belgrade was overshadowed for many viewers at home by frustration with the television coverage from ITV, as fans complained that the camera angle made the match difficult to watch.
The game, staged at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, was a one-sided affair as Thomas Tuchel’s side extended their perfect start to World Cup qualifying with a fifth straight win.
Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Marcus Rashford all found the net in a dominant display that left England top of their group without conceding a goal.
But while the result was convincing, those watching on TV were less impressed with the broadcast pictures.
England’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Serbia in Belgrade was overshadowed for many viewers at home by frustration with the television coverage from ITV, as fans complained that the camera angle made the match difficult to watch
|REUTERS
The main camera appeared unusually high and far away from the action, leaving supporters on social media to vent their annoyance at ITV.
“The cameraman is in row Z,” one fan wrote.
Another asked: “Do they want to move the camera any further away?”
Others described the coverage as “shocking,” with one supporter joking: “Are we filming this from space?”
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Several also claimed the angle was giving them a “headache.”
The unusual perspective is partly down to the layout of the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where the steep bowl-shaped stands are set well back from the pitch.
The ground is famed for its intimidating atmosphere, with players walking more than 200 metres through a graffiti-lined tunnel before emerging into the cauldron of noise created by Red Star Belgrade’s ultras.
For Tuchel’s players, however, the conditions were no distraction.
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ITV viewers complained about the camera angle during England's World Cup qualifying victory over Serbia
|ITV
Kane broke the deadlock on 32 minutes with a header from Declan Rice’s corner, before Madueke doubled the lead with a dazzling solo run.
Konsa and Guehi both struck after half-time, with Rashford completing the rout from the penalty spot in the final minute.
The result came just three days after England laboured to a 2-0 win over Andorra at Villa Park, where an own goal and a Rice header were required to seal the points.
Tuchel made several changes in Belgrade, handing starts to Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento, although Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly was omitted from the squad.
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Harry Kane put England ahead against Serbia in Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier
|REUTERS
With five wins from five qualifiers, England’s campaign is firmly on track.
And Tuchel was left delighted, with the Three Lions boss saying afterwards: “I’m more than happy for the team.
“We had an excellent week from start to finish in which they proved what I see every day in this camp, and that makes me very happy.”
He continued: “We played with a lot of intensity. We put a lot of work in.
Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring England's fifth and final goal in their World Cup qualifying win over Serbia
|REUTERS
"There was teamwork in its purest form, and from there, we showed our quality.
“We kept Serbia to no shots on target. We didn't allow chances, and you have to put a lot of work in to do that.
“A lot of help is needed, a lot of intensity is needed in the duels, and a lot of invisible work [is needed] that you get no praise for. We did this with a lot of support from all positions, a lot of running and a lot of effort. It was good to watch.”