Belgrade: Euro 2016 hosts France failed to follow up their 1-0 success over Spain three days ago, being held 1-1 by Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday.
Didier Deschamps’ side took the lead after 14 minutes, when Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba picked up a Remy Cabella corner to fire in his fourth international goal.
Capped 18 times, Pogba, 21, is a rising star of the new-look France team and one of just four players to survive from Thursday’s starting line-up.
Former France skipper Deschamps made seven changes to the side that beat Spain for the match against Serbia, who are in Euro 2016 Group I along with Portugal, Denmark, Armenia and Albania.
France will qualify automatically for Euro 2016 as hosts but will play friendlies against teams in the five-team Group I.
Serbia, who have not participated in the finals of a major championship since the 2010 World Cup, struggled to find an opening in their first game under new coach Dick Advocaat.
But, in the 80th minute, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was left powerless to keep out a powerful effort from Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov from a free-kick.
Two minutes from time, however, Lloris kept the sides level by clearing a dangerous Branislav Ivanovic header.
France’s Loic Remy failed to follow up his heroics against former world champions Spain, missing two opportunities in the ninth and 55th minutes.
France’s third friendly on their two-year road to Euro 2016 will be against Portugal at Stade de France on October 11, with Serbia playing their first qualifier in Albania on the same day.
