Slovenia 1-1 Serbia: Luka Jovic's stoppage-time header keeps Serbs alive at Euro 2024

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·20 June 2024

Slovenia 1-1 Serbia: Luka Jovic's stoppage-time header keeps Serbs alive at Euro 2024

Victory in final round of games likely essential for either team to qualify

Slovenia had qualification for the Euro 2024 knockouts snatched from their grasp on Thursday by Luka Jovic’s 96th-minute header for Serbia.

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Jan Oblak produced his trademark heroics in goal to set the stage for right-back Zan Karinicik to score what looked like a Slovenian winner midway through the second half. However, Serbia’s late onslaught paid off with substitute Jovic expertly guiding a corner home with the last move of the match.

There was much interest in how Serbia would come out in Munich having impressed during the second half against England, but their pre-match talk of an aggressive approach failed to translate - largely down to their dreadful ball retention inside their own half.

Slovenia time and again stole possession but suffered from their own major issue, namely a lack of clinical finishing.

Jan Mlakar was denied after nine minutes and a scrappy period of the first half ended when Timi Max Elsnik weaved his way into the Serbian box and hit the post. The rebound fell to Benjamin Sesko but, with men on the line, he shot over.

Serbia had taken 28 minutes to manage an effort on goal of their own and responded to Slovenia’s best opening in the flurry towards the end of the first half when Aleksandar Mitrovic expertly held off his defender before Oblak smothered his shot from close range.

Serbia flew out the traps in the second half with Oblak again denying Mitrovic, who then headed a fine Dusan Tadic delivery over after Slovenia centre-back Jaka Biol nearly put through his own net as he slashed a leg at a far-post cross.

Oblak has been a hero for his country for years and his saves allowed a new name to etch himself into Slovenian history as NK Celje defender Karnicnik won the ball to spark a counter and switched the play before popping up unmarked at the back post to fire home the opening goal on 69 minutes.

Mitrovic’s miserable afternoon continued with a shot deflected by, of course, Karnicnik onto the post moments later.

Numerous Serbian balls were pumped into the box and it was the last which broke through their opponents’ defence, Jovic entering off the bench to rise highest and head the latest of levellers to keep them alive in the competition.

Victory over Denmark on Tuesday will surely send Serbia into the knockouts while Slovenia are now facing having to likely get a result against England to qualify.