The Scandinavian side began slowly and fell behind inside the opening five minutes when Zoran Tosic latched on to a through-ball from Nemanja Gudelj and finished calmly from close range.

Denmark's defender Simon Kjaer celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the Euro 2016 group I qualifying football match between Serbia and Denmark in Belgrade on November 14, 2014 © Getty Images

The Serbian onslaught was persistent in the early stages and Kasper Schmeichel turned away Darko Lazovic's effort before Dusan Tadic fired inches wide of the upright when presented with a glorious opening.

A shaken Denmark side regrouped and almost drew level in the 29th minute, but Lasse Vibe's skidding drive was pushed around the post by Vladimir Stojkovic.

The game then entered a lull, with players on both sides strolling around the pitch, but Christian Eriksen almost drew his team level in the 50th minute, only for his strike to cannon back off the upright with Stojkovic stranded.

With Denmark seemingly heading for defeat, the game turned on its head in the space of three second-half minutes.

First, Nicklas Bendtner lashed the ball home from close range in the 61st minute and then Simon Kjaer thundered a header into the back of the net to leave Serbia reeling.

Serbia's striker Zoran Tosic celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the EURO 2016 group I football match between Serbia and Denmark in Belgrade on November 14, 2014 © Getty Images

The hosts almost hit immediately back as Lazovic struck the crossbar, while at the other end Peter Ankersen also saw his effort rebound back off the frame of the goal.

However, with six minutes remaining Bendtner grabbed his second goal of the evening with a composed finish to leave Denmark top of the group.