Substitute Luka Jovic got here off the bench to nod dwelling a last-gasp equaliser towards Slovenia and haul Serbia again from the brink of close to sure elimination at Euro 2024.
The Milan striker linked with a whipped-in right-wing nook within the fifth of 5 added minutes to disclaim Slovenia a deserved win that will have taken them to 4 factors and virtually definitely a spot within the final 16.
It was an ending that was as merciless because it was sudden with Serbia having seemingly run out of concepts in a recreation excessive on power however low on high quality, significantly within the remaining third.
Zan Karciknik had earlier put Slovenia forward after 69 minutes, changing Timi Elsnik’s cross on the far publish.
Aleksandar Mitrovic struck the woodwork in response however it appeared it was not going to be Serbia’s day till Jovic’s intervention.
INCREDIBLE SCENES! 👀
An enormous objective proper on the finish for Serbia. Their #Euro2024 hopes are alive! 💥#SVNSRB pic.twitter.com/ytaWo4xrrn
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) June 20, 2024
Serbia now have a single level to indicate for his or her efforts and should beat Denmark of their remaining recreation to face any probability of qualification. Slovenia have drawn their opening two matches and are additionally prone to want a win – towards England – if they’re to advance.
Slovenia bossed the early phases, Adam Cerin firing a drive straight at Predrag Rajkovic with the Serbia goalkeeper additionally referred to as on to repel a Jan Mlakar effort.
It took Serbia 26 minutes to conjure up something going ahead and, even then, Jan Oblak made a routine save from a Dusan Vlahovic header.
Slovenia continued to look the extra doubtless aspect to make the breakthrough and so they have been denied by the woodwork after 37 minutes. Elsnik capitalised on a one-two with a Serbia defender to weave his method by means of solely to see his shot crash again off the right-hand publish with Benjamin Sesko wastefully firing the rebound over the bar.
Realizing a win would give their qualification hopes a serious shot within the arm, Dragan Stojkovic’s Serbia began the second interval on the entrance foot with Mitrovic on the coronary heart of the motion.
🇷🇸 Serbia seize late level in Munich!#EURO2024 | #SVNSRB pic.twitter.com/eoSfI0Lcmc
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 20, 2024
The previous Fulham striker noticed a shot saved by Oblak earlier than he headed over after which noticed an one other effort clear the bar.
In between, the hitherto quiet Sesko led a counter assault which culminated within the in-demand RB Leipzig striker curling in a shot that required an acrobatic save from Rajkovic.
It appeared the sport was heading in the direction of the primary goalless stalemate at Euro 2024 when Slovenia took the lead with Karnicnik beginning and ending the transfer.
The suitable-back led the cost, selecting out Elsnik on the left-flank earlier than persevering with his run into the field after which stealing in on the far publish to transform the cross forward of substitute Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Karnicnik then confirmed his prowess on the different finish with an important block that diverted Mitrovic’s shot onto the bar with Oblak crushed.
The Celje defender was having fun with his afternoon and he got here near including one other objective with a right-footed drive that flew previous Rajkovic’s right-hand publish.
Serbia poured ahead within the latter phases however Oblak was not referred to as into any significant motion till he had two scoop the ball out of his internet.
