Luka Jović Secures Last-Gasp Equaliser to Keep Serbia’s Hopes Alive.
Luka Jović scored a dramatic last-minute equaliser for Serbia at the Allianz Arena in Munich, securing a 1-1 draw against Slovenia and keeping their hopes of reaching the UEFA European Championship knockout stages alive.
Both teams were aware that three points could be crucial to their aspirations of progressing to the last 16. Slovenia, having already earned a point in their previous match, started the game on a positive note. Adam Gnezda Čerin took advantage of some slack Serbian defending, forcing Predrag Rajković into an early save.
Serbia, looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to England, took until shortly before the half-hour mark to trouble Jan Oblak. Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović managed to get in front of Vanja Drkušić, but his diving header was well stopped by the Atlético Madrid keeper.
The best chance of the first half fell to Slovenia in the 37th minute when Timi Max Elšnik struck the post, and Benjamin Šeško missed the rebound. Despite a late surge from Serbia, including a close-range effort from Aleksandar Mitrović that was smothered by Oblak, the half ended goalless, marking only the second time this tournament that a first half ended without a goal.
Immediately after the restart, Mitrović linked up well with captain Dušan Tadić, only for Oblak to deny him once more. Serbian hearts were in their mouths when Jaka Bijol nearly scored an own goal, slicing Mijat Gaćinović’s cross just over his own crossbar.
No game at Euro 2024 had previously gone so long without a goal, but Zan Karnik made sure it didn’t end without the net rippling. In the 68th minute, Karnik pick-pocketed Gaćinović, embarked on a powerful run into the Serbian half, and set up Elšnik before continuing his run untracked to slide home at the back post.
Serbia almost responded immediately when Andrija Živković’s cross was met by Mitrović, but he rattled the crossbar from close range. It seemed Serbia would leave empty-handed until, in the final moments of stoppage time, Jović headed Ivan Ilić’s corner into the bottom corner, sending the Serbian supporters into raptures.
With this draw, Serbia now face Denmark on Tuesday with renewed hope, while Slovenia, with two points, prepare to take on England.
