Germany cruised to a 3-1 win against Serbia in Belgrade in the Nations League on Friday, setting up a crunch clash with the Netherlands in Berlin on Monday.

In teeming rain in an almost empty stadium, the Germans forced Serbia’s Srdan Babic into an early own goal, with Florian Wirtz and debutant Brajan Gruda also scoring.

Babic made up for his blunder with a second-half consolation strike, while Serbia finished with nine men after substitutes Vanja Dragojevic and Andrija Zivkovic were sent off late on.

The Netherlands’ 7-0 annihilation of Greece in Amsterdam means the Germans will likely need to win on Monday to reach the quarter-finals, unless Serbia beat the Greeks away from home.

Germany have now won twice, drawn twice and lost once in five games under coach Jurgen Klopp, who was optimistic the side were beginning to take shape under his tutelage.

“We played a truly fantastic game. I think we need to get a bit more used to the fact that we’re genuinely good — and capable of being very, very good,” Klopp told RTL.

“Our counter-pressing was superb, and the intensity was top-notch. So, from my point of view, it was a really, really good game.

“We wanted to qualify for that ‘final’ in Berlin, and now we have… It’s great. We’re looking forward to it, and we have a wealth of options to choose from.”

Serbia are guaranteed to finish bottom of the group after a fifth straight loss.

“It was very difficult for Serbia, who certainly aren’t at their best right now,” Klopp said. “And yet, in games like this, you can easily end up hurting yourself - but we didn’t.”

With Serbia’s fans banned by UEFA due to racist and discriminatory behaviour earlier in the competition, the teams took to the field with the cavernous Rajko Mitic Stadium almost empty.

Just 5,000 schoolchildren — and 200 travelling Germany fans — were allowed to attend.

Reijnders hat-trick

Meanwhile, Tijjani Reijnders scored a first-half hat-trick as the Netherlands thrashed Greece to move closer to securing a place in the quarter-finals.

Crysencio Summerville capitalised on a defensive lapse to give the Dutch an early lead in Amsterdam, before former Manchester City midfielder Reijnders doubled the advantage.

Reijnders struck again from close range before completing his hat-trick in the 33rd minute when he squeezed home at the far post.

Jurrien Timber turned in a Donyell Malen cross before half-time to make it 5-0, and the Arsenal defender added his second goal of the night on the hour mark.

Malen completed the rout with a crisp first-time finish against a Greece side that bore little resemblance to the team that nearly beat the Netherlands last month.

“The first half was amazing, so I have to congratulate the players. But it’s just one game. We need to continue like this, but this is the way,” Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez told UEFA.

Greece had entered the match unbeaten in Group A2, having taken four points against Germany, and had held a two-goal lead against the Netherlands in October before Reijnders salvaged a 2-2 draw.

“There’s not much to say about today,” said Greece winger Christos Tzolis. “We had a very bad start; we conceded every chance the opponent had. I think the first half was the worst performance of the national team.”

Xavi’s side lead the way with 11 points, three clear of both Greece and Germany, going into the final round of group matches.