FK Voždovac U19 and Red Star Belgrade U19 played out a 1-1 draw in the Serbian U19 League on 24 October 2026, a result that gave both sides something to take from a closely contested Belgrade youth derby. Red Star, one of the strongest academies in the region, arrived as the more fancied side, but Voždovac produced a disciplined and energetic performance to claim a point on home soil.

A competitive derby from the first whistle

The match was played at a good tempo, with Red Star looking to dominate possession and Voždovac happy to press in short bursts and attack through quick transitions. The hosts were compact in their defensive shape and made it difficult for Red Star to find clean lanes into the penalty area. When the visitors did manage to work the ball wide, Voždovac’s back line dealt well with crosses and second balls.

Voždovac took confidence from their organisation and began to grow into the game. Their midfield pressed higher, forcing Red Star into a few rushed passes, and the home side created the better openings during the middle part of the first half. The breakthrough came from exactly that kind of pressure, with Voždovac converting a close-range opportunity after the ball was kept alive in the box.

Key moments

• First-half opener: Voždovac took the lead after a spell of sustained pressure, finishing from inside the area following a scramble.
• Red Star response: The visitors increased their tempo after the break, pushing their full-backs higher and committing more bodies forward.
• Equaliser: Red Star levelled in the second half with a well-worked move that opened up the Voždovac defence and produced a calm finish.
• Late chances: Both teams had half-chances to win it, but the goalkeepers and some last-ditch defending kept the score level.

Tactical story

Red Star’s game was built on patient possession and positional rotations, but Voždovac’s compact 4-4-2 block made central progression difficult. The hosts were willing to concede territory and then strike on the counter, and that approach nearly delivered all three points. Red Star’s equaliser came after they moved the ball more quickly from side to side, stretching the home defence and creating space between the lines.

In the final 20 minutes, the game became more open. Voždovac’s substitutes added fresh energy, while Red Star pushed for a winner that would have protected their title ambitions. Neither side could find a decisive second goal, and a draw was a fair reflection of a contest in which both defences had long spells on top.

Standout performers

Voždovac’s goalkeeper produced a composed display, dealing with crosses and making a key save in the second half. The centre-back pairing also deserved credit for limiting Red Star’s clear chances. For the visitors, the midfield controller was central to their comeback, setting the tempo and finding pockets of space as Voždovac tired.

What the result means

Red Star drop two valuable points in the Serbian U19 League title race, while Voždovac can take real encouragement from matching one of the country’s leading youth sides. The point reinforces Voždovac’s reputation as a difficult opponent at home and gives their young players another strong reference point in a demanding season.