Another goal in injury time: In the heated and intense duel between Slovenia and Serbia, Luka Jovic saved the Serbs a point at the last second. The 1:1 result means that both Slovenia and Serbia still have a chance of reaching the round of 16.
The former Frankfurt player Jovic scored the final goal to make it 1-1 when hardly anyone in the Munich Arena, which was sold out with 63,000 spectators, believed that Serbia would score. Serbia had taken control after the Slovenian lead through Zan Karnicnik (69th minute) and had a clear advantage in terms of possession in the 15 minutes. However, Serbia became increasingly less precise in its attacks. Only substitute Jovic did not give up hope. And so the 26-year-old from AC Milan rose up in the 90th + 6th minute and headed in the 1-1, which was no longer thought possible.
Elsnik: “It broke our hearts”
While the Serbs celebrated the 1:1 draw, their first point at the European Championships, like a victory, European Championship outsiders Sovenien mourned the draw like a defeat. “That broke our hearts,” said Slovenia’s midfielder Timi Elsnik disappointedly after the final whistle. “Unfortunately, the result is not what we wanted. We could have achieved more,” said goalscorer Karnicnik. Serbia’s coach Dragan Stojkovic praised the morale of his players: “For many, the game was already over, but not for us. We were rewarded for that.”
Slovenia determines start
In the explosive duel between the two former Yugoslavia countries, Slovenia had the better start. With high pressing and aggressive attacks, Benjamin Sesko, Adam Gnezda Cerin, Timi Elsnik and co. put the Serbian back line under pressure early on. The only drawback: the visual superiority did not initially result in any chances – and the one half-chance was thwarted by Serbia’s keeper Predrag Rajkovic (17′).
For around 25 minutes, the Slovenians had the game firmly under control, dominating the right side in particular. Then Serbia was able to free itself more and more, also increasing its activity on the right. Serbia’s Dusan Vlahovic caused the first wake-up call in the Slovenian goal with a header, but goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved it safely (26′). Shortly afterwards, Aleksandar Mitrovic narrowly missed at the far post (31′).
Hectic shooting in the first half
Now things got hectic, dynamic and intense – with chances on both sides. Slovenia could have taken the lead through Elsnik, the midfielder hit the post from twelve meters to the right (38th). Sesko reacted too hastily to the follow-up shot. In Serbia’s biggest chance of the first half, Mitrovic was thwarted by Oblak from close range (41st).
2nd half: Serbia takes over, but Slovenia scores
After the break, Serbia’s “white eagles” took over the reins. With a high start, the same recipe as Slovenia in the first half, coach Dragan Stojkovic’s team established themselves in the Slovenian half. Two great chances resulted from the dynamic start of the Serbs: first Oblak cleared against Mitrovic (47th minute), then Jaka Bijol almost scored an own goal (50th minute).
A little later, Slovenia were back in the game – and almost 1-0 ahead: a great shot from Sesko was deflected over the goal by keeper Predrag Rajkovic (58th minute). And eleven minutes later, the Slovenians were celebrating: Karnicnik won the ball from a Serbian attack in his own half, ran halfway across the pitch, changed sides to Elsnik and then scored himself after a great cross (69th minute).
Strong Mitrovic misses several great chances
Just two minutes later, defender Karnicnik was back in the spotlight, but in his actual role as a goal-saver: when Mitrovic had another great chance, the 29-year-old from NK Celje got his foot on the ball and the ball bounced off the underside of the crossbar back into play (71′). Without Jovic’s late goal, Mitrovic would have been Serbia’s tragic hero: the 29-year-old former Premier League striker was an active part of the Serbian offensive, but missed four great chances.
Joker Jovic founded
With the lead behind them, Slovenia withdrew. Serbia fought back at high speed and with a lot of anger against what was almost a certain European Championship exit. The pressure from the Serbs increased – but their attacks became increasingly inaccurate. And in injury time – when no one could believe in an equalizer any more – Jovic headed in to make it 1:1.
Serbia will face Denmark on the last matchday on Tuesday (25 June 2024, 9 p.m.), while Slovenia will play against the struggling co-favorite England at the end of the group phase, also on Tuesday at 9 p.m. All teams in Group C still have a chance of reaching the round of 16.
