Christian Eriksen and Erik Janža scored as the Group C encounter between Slovenia and Denmark ended all square.
Key moments
16′: Šeško strike whistles past the post
17′: Eriksen tucks home opener
52′: Stojanović heads narrowly wide
65′: Oblak denies Højlund
74′: Janža scores deflected equaliser
Match in brief: Slovenia fight back
It was Slovenia who fashioned the first clear chance of the game, with Benjamin Šeško going agonisingly close as his long-range effort flew just wide.
But just a minute later Denmark took the lead. Jonas Wind did brilliantly to flick on a quick throw, and Eriksen was there to chest down and finish with aplomb, the midfielder’s goal a wonderful moment in his first match in this tournament since he suffered a cardiac arrest at EURO 2020.
Slovenia started the second half positively, a corner causing panic in the Denmark box before Petar Stojanović put a header wide.
The Danes had a glorious chance to double their advantage 65 minutes in when Rasmus Højlund met Victor Kristiansen’s wicked cross, but Jan Oblak stood up tall to deny him from close range.
Slovenia continued to push, and moments after Šeško struck the post they finally got their reward, with Erik Janža’s deflected effort flying past Kasper Schmeichel and into the net.
In the end a draw was a fair result, with both sides no doubt happy to avoid defeat to start their campaigns. Serbia are next up for Slovenia in Munich on 20 June, while Denmark face England in Frankfurt on the same day.
Vivo Player of the Match: Christian Eriksen (Denmark)
Scored a fine opener and pulled the strings from the centre of the pitch throughout.
Grega Sever, Slovenia reporter
A hard-fought but deserved draw against the favourites means that Slovenia can look forward to their next game. Team spirit and discipline were ever-present and they still have all to play for in this group.
Sture Sandø, Denmark reporter
Denmark had the game where they wanted it. But so did Slovenia. After a fine start for Denmark, Slovenia didn’t shake on the hand, and they waited patiently for the chance, and they took it. 1-1 is a disappointing result for Denmark, and the pressure is on from here.
Reaction
Erik Janža wheels away in celebration
Key stats
Denmark conduct a post-match debrief
- Slovenia featured in a EURO match for the first time since 2000. They are still awaiting their first victory.
- They have lost only two of their last 15 competitive matches (W8 D5).
- Matjaž Kek’s side have only failed to score in one of their last 21 matches.
- Centre-back Jaka Bijol made his 50th appearance for Slovenia.
- Denmark remain unbeaten in their previous seven matches against Slovenia (W5 D2)
- This was only the third of Denmark’s last 15 EURO group stage matches have finished level.
- Denmark have scored the first goal in their last six EURO matches.
- Christian Eriksen became the oldest scorer for Denmark at a EURO finals at 32 years and 123 days.
Line-ups
Slovenia: Oblak; Karničnik, Drkušić, Bijol, Janža; Stojanović (Verbič 67), Gnezda Čerin, Elšnik (Stanković 75), Mlakar (Celar 75); Šporar (Brekalo 90+5), Šeško (Kurtić 90+5)
Denmark: Schmeichel; Christensen, Andersen, Vestergaard; Bah, Hjulmand, Højbjerg (Nørgaard 83), Kristiansen (Mæhle 78); Eriksen; Wind (Dolberg 83), Højlund (Poulsen 83)