UEFA Euro 2024 – Group C
Slovenia………1
Serbia…………1
Slovenia and Serbia share the spoils.
Luka Jović managed to find the back of the net during injury time, resulting in a tied score between Serbia and Slovenia in Munich. Serbia was able to salvage a draw against Slovenia in an exciting Group C match in Munich, thanks to Luka Jović’s last-minute equalizer.
Remaining unchanged from their 1-1 draw against Denmark on Matchday 1, Slovenia initiated the game’s opening opportunity when Adam Gnezda Čerin fired a shot directly at Predrag Rajković from just beyond the area. Shortly thereafter, the Serbia goalkeeper was once again called into action, blocking Jan Mlakar’s low attempt after the Slovenia winger had broken free inside the penalty box.
As the first half progressed, Dragan Stojković’s team showed improvement, with Dušan Vlahovič nodding a header straight into the hands of goalkeeper Jan Oblak, while Aleksandar Mitrović failed to make solid contact with a teasing cross towards the far post. However, Serbia were fortunate not to concede a late goal in the half when Timi Elšnik unleashed a powerful strike that struck the post, with Benjamin Šeško unable to convert the rebound, sending it high over the crossbar. Moments later, Oblak made an excellent save at Mitrović’s feet, ensuring that both teams entered halftime on even terms.
Mitrović was thwarted by another outstanding save from Oblak shortly after the second half began, as Serbia started the latter period with attacking intent. Despite this, Slovenia remained dangerous on the counter, and Rajković emulated Oblak’s heroics by diving to tip Šeško’s curling drive over the crossbar.
The stalemate was finally broken in the middle of the second half. Karničnik won back possession deep in his own half before passing the ball to Elšnik, whose low cross was expertly finished at the far post by Slovenia’s right-back. The 29-year-old was also in the right place at the right time to divert Mitrović’s shot onto the crossbar moments later. However, there was little he or his teammates could do to prevent Jović’s precise header from finding the back of the net, courtesy of a last-minute corner from Ivan Ilić, depriving Matjaž Kek’s side of three valuable points.
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
