Serbia have boosted their hopes of reaching the last 16 at Euro 2024 after scoring a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw with Group C rivals Slovenia at the Allianz Arena on Thursday.
After having left-back Erik Janza to thank for rescuing a point in a 1-1 draw with Denmark last weekend, Slovenia relied on right-back Zan Karnicnik to break the deadlock against Serbia midway through the second half.
Matjaz Kek's side looked as if they had done enough to claim their first-ever victory at the European Championship as an independent nation, but Serbia had other ideas and left it late to snatch a point.
Indeed, in the fifth and final minute of second-half stoppage time, Serbia substitute Luka Jovic directed a smart header beyond Jan Oblak and into the far corner, sparking wild scenes and keeping Dragan Stojkovic's side in the tournament in dramatic fashion.
The draw represents Slovenia's second of Group C and leaves them on two points, while Serbia have now picked up their first point of Euro 2024, after losing 1-0 to England last weekend, and have an outside chance of progressing to the last 16 for the first time.
Slovenia, Serbia lacked cutting edge in tight first half
In what turned out to be a largely uneventful first half-hour, Slovenia made a bright start to proceedings and Jan Mlakar forced a save from Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic with a low drive in the seventh minute.
The tight contest woke up in the last 15 minutes, though, with Dusan Vlahovic posing the greatest threat for Serbia; the Juventus striker came closest to scoring when he glanced a close-range header into the gloves of Oblak.
Timi Max Elsnik came agonisingly close to opening the scoring for Slovenia on the stroke of half time, but his sliced 20-yard strike smacked the inside of the post and Benjamin Sesko was unable to convert the rebound.
Serbia made a promising start to the second half, with Aleksandar Mitrovic denied from close range following a neat one-two with Dusan Tadic, before sending a towering header over the crossbar.
Slovenia held firm and they responded well before breaking the deadlock in the 69th minute through an unlikely source in the form of right-back Karnicnik, who had only previously scored once for his country in 29 appearances.
Karnicnik began a free-flowing move by making a darting 20-yard run forward before switching the play to Elsnik on the left flank, and he curled a delightful cross into the path of Karnicnik, who continued his run towards the back post to tap home a first-time shot from close range.
Slovenia's goalscorer then became a goal-saver just three minutes later, as his outstretched boot got the slightest of touches on Mitrovic's half-volley inside the six-yard box that cannoned off the crossbar.
Late drama as Jovic nets last-gasp equaliser
Serbia were disappointing in front of goal for large parts of the contest, but they pushed for a late equaliser and their persistence was rewarded with a crucial goal in the last action of the game.
Ivan Ilic whipped an inviting delivery into the danger zone, and although it evaded goalkeeper Rajkovic, who had rushed forward to join in the attack, Jovic was there to pounce, shrugging off his Slovenian opponents to direct his header into the back of the net.
Man of the Match - Zan Karnicnik
Although he was left heartbroken like the rest of his Slovenia teammates at full time, Zan Karnicnik can be proud of his all-round display and crucial contributions at both end of the pitch.
As well as scoring the opening goal, the 29-year-old put in the hard yards at the back, making seven ball recoveries as well as a vital intervention to prevent Mitrovic from hitting the target from close range.
After the match, Karnicnik told Euro2024.com: "It's difficult right now; we were so close. We played very well but just couldn't manage to hold them off.
"They scored after many long balls, which they are very good at. It was incredible to be on the pitch and enjoy such support from the fans. Now we play England, who are the favourites in this group. We will try our best."
What next for Slovenia and Serbia at Euro 2024?
Slovenia face a daunting third and final Group C clash against England next Tuesday and will hope that the Three Lions somewhat take their foot off the gas if they managed to secure their spot in the last 16 before then with victory over Denmark.
The Danes will be Serbia's final Group C opponent and they must claim all three points from that fixture if they are to have any chance of punching their ticket to the knockout rounds. body check tags ::
