Luka Jović scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Serbia salvaged a draw against Slovenia in Munich.
Luka Jović celebrates after equalising for Serbia against Slovenia
Luka Jović scored a last-gasp equaliser as Serbia rescued a point against Slovenia in an entertaining Group C affair in Munich.
Key moments
8′: Rajković keeps out low Mlakar effort
38′: Elšnik denied by woodwork
47′: Oblak blocks goal-bound Mitrović strike
69′: Karničnik breaks deadlock from close range
72′: Mitrović shot deflected onto crossbar
90’+6: Jović equalises deep into added time
Match in brief: Jović cancels out Karničnik opener
Unchanged from their 1-1 draw with Denmark on Matchday 1, Slovenia registered the game’s first chance when Adam Gnezda Čerin shot straight at Pedrag Rajković from just outside the penalty area. The Serbia goalkeeper was called into action again not long afterwards, blocking Jan Mlakar’s low effort after the Slovenia wide man had broken clear inside the box.
Dragan Stojković’s side improved as the first half progressed, Dušan Vlahovič flicking a header straight at goalkeeper Jan Oblak before Aleksandar Mitrović failed to make proper contact with a teasing ball towards the far post. However, they were fortunate not to fall behind late in the first half when Timi Elšnik sent a fierce strike against the post, with Benjamin Šeško sending the rebound high over the crossbar. Oblak produced a fine save at the feet of Mitrović moments later as the teams went into half-time on level terms.
Karničnik started and finished the move that led to Slovenia’s opener
Mitrović was denied by another superb Oblak stop within minutes of the restart as Serbia started the second period on the front foot. Slovenia remained a threat on the counterattack, though, and Rajković soon pulled a leaf out of Oblak’s book with a diving save to tip a curling Šeško drive over the crossbar and out for a corner, which was cleared to safety.
The deadlock was finally broken midway through the second half. Karničnik regained possession deep inside his own half before laying the ball off to Elšnik, whose low cross was slotted home at the far post by the Slovenia right-back. The 29-year-old was in the right place at the right time moments later to deflect Mitrović’s shot on to the crossbar, but there was little he or his team-mates could do about Jović’s well-placed header past Oblak, which denied Slovenia a valuable three points.
Vivo Player of the Match: Žan Karničnik (Slovenia)
Karničnik was named Vivo Player of the Match
Won the ball deep in the Slovenia half and started the move that led to his goal. Slovenia were tactically compact and difficult to play against – Karnicnik’s confidence was the key.
Grega Sever, Slovenia reporter
Jović’s late equaliser denied Slovenia a historic first EURO win. They managed to keep Serbia at bay, they were more decisive and opened the scoring midway through the second half, only to be denied late on. Football is a team sport, and it was Slovenia’s team effort that almost decided this tense encounter in their favour.
Aleksandra Stojković, Serbia reporter
Serbia could scarcely have come any closer before Jović’s leveller, hitting the woodwork through Mitrović, whose six attempts were the most of any player on the pitch. They still need a positive result against Denmark in their final Group C fixture on Tuesday, but this could prove to be a precious point for Stojković’s team.
Reaction
Dušan Tadić is the oldest player to start for Serbia at a EURO finals
- Slovenia have lost only two of their last 16 competitive matches (W8 D6).
- A 2-1 away defeat against Denmark in EURO 2024 qualifying is Slovenia’s only defeat in their last 14 matches (W8 D5).
- Slovenia have only failed to score in one of their last 22 international matches.
- Slovenia are one of only two sides to hit the woodwork more than once at EURO 2024, along with Georgia (both 2).
- Aged 35 years and 213 days, Tadić is the oldest player to start for Serbia at a EURO finals. His current head coach, Dragan Stojković, was 99 days younger when he took the record at UEFA EURO 2000.
- Serbia have kept only two clean sheets in their last 16 EURO matches.
Line-ups
Slovenia: Oblak; Karničnik, Drkušić, Bijol, Janža; Stojanović (Verbić 76), G. Čerin, Elšnik (Brekalo 90+1), Mlakar (Gorenc Stanković 64); Šporar, Šeško (Vipotnik 76)
Serbia: Rajković; Veljković, Milenković, Pavlović; A. Živković (Birmančević 82), Ilić, Lukić (S. Milinković-Savić 64), Mladenović (Gaćinović 46); Tadić (Samardžić 82); Vlahović (Jović 64), Mitrović