Munich: Luka Jovic scored with a last-gasp header to grab an equaliser for Serbia in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia on Thursday, retaining each groups in rivalry for a spot within the final 16 of Euro 2024.
Slovenia regarded on target for his or her first ever win at the match after Zan Karnicnik put them forward within the second half, however Jovic glanced in a nook within the fifth minute of stoppage time to haul Serbia stage.
The consequence leaves Slovenia on two factors from two video games in Group C going into their conflict with England on Tuesday, whereas Serbia have one level forward of their remaining match within the group against Denmark.
Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic, who felt his workforce confirmed England “an excessive amount of respect” of their opening 1-0 defeat, recalled captain Dusan Tadic in certainly one of three adjustments, with Filip Kostic dominated out as a consequence of damage.
Stojkovic by the way performed in Yugoslavia’s 3-3 draw with Slovenia within the group stage at Euro 2000, Slovenia’s solely different look at the match.
But it was Slovenia, coming off a creditable 1-1 draw against Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark of their first recreation, who created the early possibilities.
Adam Gnezda Cerin drove straight at Predrag Rajkovic from distance earlier than the Serbia goalkeeper used his legs nicely to avoid wasting from Jan Mlakar.
After mustering a solitary shot on track against England, Serbia’s strike pair Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic each went shut.
Vlahovic’s diving header drew a simple save from Jan Oblak, with Mitrovic unable to attach with Tadic’s teasing nook yards out as he grappled with a defender.
Timi Max Elsnik rattled the submit after skipping his manner into the Serbia space following a beneficial bounce off an opponent and Benjamin Sesko scooped over the rebound.
Oblak, who produced a vital cease to maintain Slovenia within the recreation earlier than they equalised against Denmark, pulled off one other comparable save simply earlier than half-time to disclaim Mitrovic from contained in the six-yard field.
Mitrovic once more discovered his path to objective blocked by Oblak minutes into the second half, with Slovenia defender Jaka Bijol fortunate to not slice a cross into his personal internet.
A header from Mitrovic deflected simply over as Serbia began to impose themselves on the sport, however Sesko stored Rajkovic busy with a curling try.
Karnicnik began and completed the transfer that led to Slovenia’s objective, profitable the ball again deep in his half and igniting the counter-attack that culminated in him stabbing in Elsnik’s cross from the left.
Mitrovic’s luck abandoned him because the Al Hilal ahead whacked the crossbar, his half-volley from Andrija Zivkovic’s supply taking a significant spark off Karnicnik.
Lazar Samardzic stroked broad as Serbia desperately pushed for an equaliser, their prayers answered as Jovic turned in a nook with the ultimate act of the match.
