DEBRECEN, Hungary: Two goals in each half on Wednesday helped Serbia beat Qatar 4-0 in their 2022 FIFA World Cup European zone qualifier. Wednesday's defeat was Qatar's first in the group, having won two and drawn one in the opening phase back in March. Playing at the Nagyerdei Stadion in the Hungarian city of Debrecen, Qatar conceded an early own goal (Bualem Khouki) in the second minute). With momentum on their side, Serbia doubled the lead through Luka Jovic in the 18th minute. In the second half, Fiorentina Star striker Dusan Vlahovic added the third goal at the hour-mark. Twenty five minutes later, Nikola Milenkovic sealed the 4-0 win. Vlahovic's towering presence proved a tough test for Qatar's backline; his astute movement and linkup play with fellow forward Jovic created most chances for Serbia; even though the duo was indeed aided by several uncharacteristic defensive errors made by the Qatar backline. Serbia ranked 29 in the world, enjoyed 58 per cent of the ball possession against Qatar's 42 per cent. In what turned out to be a free-flowing match, there were no yellow cards for both teams. The maroons attacking duo consisting of Almoez Ali and Ahmed Alaa came close to scoring in two different instances in the 68th minute and 76th minute, assisted by former Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif on both sides occasions but failed. Almoez shot from a difficult angle inside the box, but the ball flew next to the right goalpost while Alaa's long-range effort from outside the box ended up in the hands of vigilant keeper Rakjovic. Akram Afif's inclusion in the second half provided Qatar with much-needed creativity in the attacking third, assuming a playmaking role; the gifted left winger sparked Qatar's best 20 minutes of the night. This was Qatar's first match since the Gold Cup semifinal loss to the US last month, following a valiant campaign in the North American biennial event. Coached by Felix Sanchez, Qatar next play Portugal on September 4 followed by a clash against Luxembourg on September 7. Tonight, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the all-time international goalscoring record with his 110th Portugal goal before netting an injury-time winner to salvage his country a dramatic 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over the Republic of Ireland in Faro on Wednesday. Qatar, the Asian champions, are playing the European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup to get match practice in preparation for next year's FIFA spectacle to be hosted by Qatar. Qatar play their 'home' fixtures on European soil to facilitate shorter travel times for their group opponents. As the FIFA World Cup 2022 host nation, Qatar has already qualified for the tournament. The Asian champions join Group A – alongside UEFA Euro 2016 winners Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, and Azerbaijan.