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Serbia fight back from brink with last-second leveller against Slovenia at Euro 2024
On an occasion of high emotion in Serbian football, their national team started the day threatening to pull out of the European Championship, then looked certain to be heading out of it anyway, before suddenly rescuing themselves with the final touch of the ball in a wild 1-1 draw against Slovenia.
All in an afternoon’s work for the Serbians, it seems. It is not over yet, either: there will be repercussions that go beyond this remarkable day. Their fans caused more trouble in the second half here in Munich, pelting the Slovenia players with bottles and then throwing flares onto the pitch.
One of those flares was even lit before the equaliser had been converted, by Luka Jovic, in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Perhaps the Serbian supporters could sense what was coming. More likely is that they thought they had better use the pyrotechnics while they could – despite repeated warnings before the match that such fireworks would not be permitted.
It should not be forgotten that Uefa this week opened an investigation into alleged monkey-chanting by a Serbia fan during their match against England. The Football Association of Serbia was also charged over an ultra-nationalist banner shown by supporters, and for their throwing of objects.
On Thursday, the drama all started a few hours before kick-off, when Serbia threatened to quit the tournament after accusing Croatia and Albania fans of chanting “Kill, kill, kill the Serb” in Hamburg. The general secretary of the Serbian FA suggested the team would refuse to stay in Germany unless the Croatian and Albanian associations were punished.
When the decisive goal arrived from the head of Jovic, though, not one person in Serbian red was thinking about going home. It was a goal that kept their journey alive, and they luxuriated in it. The players, coaches and fans evidently have no intention of forcing their own exit.
Dragan Stojkovic, the Serbia manager, was in no mood to discuss these threats of withdrawal, which was perhaps an indication of their lack of seriousness. “For me it is not important,” he said. “Honestly, I did not read the comments.”
Instead he talked up the spirit of his team, who created a series of chances against a resilient Slovenia defence but only converted the very last of them. “Serbs do not die so easily,” said Stojkovic. “We do not give up. We believe, all the way to the end. The result was a reward for believing. This goal gives us a chance to continue our dream.”
For Slovenia, by contrast, it represented the most sickening of setbacks. Seconds from victory, they had once again shown themselves to be an organised, disciplined and talented team. If they had held on, they would have gone into their match against England with the ambition of finishing top of the group. Instead, Jovic’s goal means they face England with just two points on the table.
“Football can be cruel but I believe karma will do its part for this team,” said Matjaz Kek, the Slovenia manager. “We have played a fair game, in an atmosphere for the ages. We can be disappointed, but proud as well. Slovenia has shown it has a place at the Euros.”
Serbia had started dreadfully, with Slovenia the dominant side in the opening half an hour, but it soon became another open and engaging encounter at this summer’s European Championship. Both sides created chances, and Slovenia were reliant on star goalkeeper Jan Oblak, of Atletico Madrid, to deny Aleksandar Mitrovic.
But Slovenia had created plenty of openings of their own, with Timi Elsnik striking the post and Benjamin Sesko firing over within the space of just a few seconds.
When their goal came, it felt like a deserved lead. Zan Karnicnik, their right-back, won the ball in his own half and simply carried on running. By the time he reached the penalty area, the Serbian defenders were so preoccupied with stopping Sesko – Slovenia’s thrilling young striker – that they forgot all about Karnicnik. He converted in style.
From here, with Oblak standing firm, many Serbian fans began to lose their temper. Bottles and cups were hurled towards the Slovenian defenders, with Oblak surrounded by plastic by the end. As the last corner was awarded, red smoke from flares drifted up from the stands.
Serbia are always a threat from set-pieces and they showed it again with that final delivery. Ivan Ilic swung the ball into the box, and Jovic rose highest to secure the most dramatic of points.
Luka Jovic’s late equaliser denies Slovenia: As it happened
Over in Frankfurt
England have named an unchanged line-up for their game against Denmark, which kicks off at 17.00 BST. If you want to follow all the build-up, you can go over to our live blog right here.
85 mins: Slovenia 1 Serbia 0
Birmancevic is fouled on the left-hand side and this is a good chance for Serbia to whip it into the box.
It is sent in and Oblak, rather unconvincingly, gets a hand on it but it ends up going behind for a corner. The delivery is sent in but it goes behind for another corner...
GOAL! Slovenia take the lead
Finally the breakthrough and it is Slovenia who get it. The cross is sent in from the left by Elsnik and Karnicnik is on hand to tap it home at the far stick. 1-0 and the Slovenian fans are sent into a state of delirium.
Fabulous goal! Half of the Allianz Arena is bouncing. It’s a big ground, this, and it’s rocking.
Zan Karnicnik started the move near his own corner flag, winning the ball deep in his own half, and just kept running. The Serbian defenders were so worried about the two strikers that they forgot about the right-back at the back post.
Karnicnik has then just prevented a certain goal by deflecting Mitrovic’s close-range effort onto the bar. What a few minutes for him.
62 mins: Slovenia 0 Serbia 0
As against England, Serbia took their time to warm up today. They produced a truly dreadful start to this game, but now they are the better team in Munich.
Slovenia will be thankful for the brilliance of Jan Oblak in goal. There is a reason the Atletico Madrid is regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, and he demonstrated all of his shot-stopping ability when denying Mitrovic shortly after the break.
Serbia are learning what Denmark realised earlier in the tournament: Slovenia are a tough nut to crack.
59 mins: Slovenia 0 Serbia 0
Sesko comes close to giving Slovenia the lead. He cuts onto his right foot and curls one from around 25 yards out. Rajkovic gets his hand to do it to tip it over the bar for a Slovenia corner. They try a fancy routine but Serbia manage to clear their lines.
50 mins: Slovenia 0 Serbia 0
Very nearly an own goal by Bijol. Gacinovic, who only came on at half-time, sends in a dangerous cross the left and Bijol swings his foot towards it. He slices his attempted clearance and it nearly ends up in his own net but goes just past the far post.
Moments later Tadic sends in a dangerous cross, which finds Mitrovic. His header takes a deflection and goes behind for another Serbia corner.
Slovenia were the better side in the first half but Serbia have certainly started the second half more brightly.
47 mins: Slovenia 0 Serbia 0
Big chance for Mitrovic right at the start of the second half. He plays a one-two with Tadic and drives into the box. He tries to lift it over Oblak but the Atletico keeper is quick off his line and makes the save to deny the former Fulham striker. Mitrovic has now had a couple of big chances in this game.
Group C standings
Ahead of England’s match against Denmark at 17.00 BST, which you can follow all the build-up to here, as it stands England would remain top, one point above Slovenia.
HT verdict
I can’t shake the feeling that Slovenia might live to regret their missed chances in this first half... they have had four good opportunities now, but the momentum of the game is beginning to swing away from them. After a dreadful start, Serbia are creating chances of their own. The match is coming alive.
41 mins: Slovenia 0 Serbia 0
Big chance for Serbia. Mitrovic has a great chance to give Serbia the lead. Zivkovic sends in a cross from the right all the way to the far post, where Mitrovic is too strong for his marker. Oblak though is quick to get out and make the save to deny Serbia.
It looks like it would have been ruled out anyway as Zivkovic was offside before he sent the cross in.
37 mins: Slovenia 0 Serbia 0
Slovenia hit the post. Elsnik gets a little lucky that a failed one-two comes straight back to him. He goes past a defender and then hits a powerful shot, which comes back off the post.
Then it comes to Sesko, who tries to curl one into the top corner but misses the target.
31 mins: Slovenia 0 Serbia 0
Not long after Vlahovic wants a free-kick just outside the box, Serbia have a corner. Tadic whips in a great delivery and it comes to the far post. Mitrovic stoops down to get his head on it but it loops over the bar. There were appeals for handball but those were waved away.
24 mins: Slovenia 0 Serbia 0
Slovenia are the better team here, dominating the ball and creating the only clear chances so far. Serbia are really struggling to get a foothold in the game and their front three appear totally undecided on how to press. What should their shape be? Who should be marking who? I get the impression that they don’t really know.
8 mins: Slovenia 0 Serbia 0
First big chance of the match and it falls Slovenia’s way. Sesko’s cushioned header just outside the box finds Mlakar, who drives into the box and shoots powerfully towards goal. Rajkovic is on hand to make the save to deny Slovenia.
Reminder of the team news
Serbia: Rajkovic; Veljkovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Ilic, Lukic, Mladenovic; Tadic; Vlahovic, Mitrovic.
Substitutes: Stojic, Maksimovic, Gudelj, Jovic, Kostic, Petrovic, Babic, Mijailovic, Ratkov, Samardzic, S Milinkovic-Savic, Gacinovic, V Milinkovic-Savic, Spajic, Birmancevic.
Slovenia: Oblak; Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza; Stojanovic, Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko.
Substitutes: Balkovec, Blazic, Stankovic, Verbic, Lovric, Belec, Kurtic, Horvat, Vekic, Vipotnik, Celar, Brekalo, Zugelj, Zeljkovic, Ilicic.
Battle of the strikers
Slovenia have more points on the board than Serbia after the first round of matches but this feels more like a must-win game for them than it does for Aleksandar Mitrovic and the boys in red. With England to come in their final group game, you would think this is Slovenia’s best chance of winning a match. (Or is that English arrogance speaking?)
Serbia, meanwhile, face Denmark in their final group game. They really cannot lose this one, but a draw might not be disastrous for Dragan Stojkovic’s team.
Away from the permutations, this should be a fun battle of the big strikers. Both teams play with two centre-forwards and all four of those players are powerful units. For Serbia it is Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic. For Slovenia it is Andraz Sporar and Benjamin Sesko, the supremely talented 21-year-old.
Sesko twice went close to scoring sensational long-range efforts against Denmark. Perhaps he will have more luck today.
Team guide: Serbia
Who is the star player?
Aleksandar Mitrovic. The goals have still continued despite swapping the Premier League for the Saudi Pro League and he will be expected to deliver for his country this summer. With 39 goals in 43 matches for club and country this season, you would not bet against him.
How do they play?
Serbia play in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Mitrovic the focal point in attack and Dusan Tadic and Fulham’s Sasa Lukic just in behind. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic brings the physicality from midfield with the pace coming from Filip Kostic in a make-shift wing-back position.
Chances of victory
Their chances of getting out of the group will depend on their final match against Denmark and with them falling short on the biggest stage in their recent history, it could be more of the same. Group stage.
Team guide: Slovenia
Who is the star player?
Having already caught the attention of Premier League sides, including Arsenal, with his performances for RB Leipzig, all eyes will be on how far striker Benjamin Sesko, 20, can carry Slovenia after scoring five goals in nine matches during qualifying.
How do they play?
Throughout qualifying Slovenia fielded a standard 4-4-2 formation with target-man Andraz Sporar complimenting Sesko’s raw pace and direct style. Expect them to be strong on the counter and successful in a low block.
Chances of victory
After finishing only second to Denmark on head-to-head in qualifying, Kek will fancy his side’s chances of escaping the group but Serbia’s attack should be enough to see them finish last. Group stage.
Fancy a flutter?
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Serbia threaten to quit
Ahead of today’s game, the Head of the Serbian FA has said his team will refuse to remain at the tournament unless the Croatian and Albanian FAs are punished after accusing the Croatia and Albania fans of chanting “Kill, kill, kill the Serb” in Hamburg yesterday.
Match preview
Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog from day seven at Euro 2024. Munich is the stage as Slovenia take on Serbia in the second round of group-stage games in Group C.
Serbia were beaten 1-0 by England in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night. Slovenia manager Dragan Stojkovic believes his side showed too much respect to England on Sunday.
“Against England we started playing with too much respect for them, like they came from another planet. It should not be like that. We played better against them later in the match and that’s how we’ll play against Slovenia.”
Slovenia fell behind to Denmark but equalised through Erik Janza with just over ten minutes to go to take a point from their opening game. With four of the third-placed teams going through into the knockout stages, every point is vital and the door is open. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs, will lead the line for Slovenia, with Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak another key figure for them.
Slovenia are looking to build on the point against Denmark and manager Matjaz Kek is hoping his side can show what they are made of against Serbia this afternoon.
“This team will grow from minute to minute in these surroundings. It’s too optimistic to expect too much from this team, bigger teams have failed. We all want to achieve a positive result and we want to prove tomorrow that we deserve to be here, that we qualified for Germany on merit.”
Six of the previous eight matches between Slovenia and Serbia in all competitions have ended in a draw, with each side winning once apiece in the other two matches. The two sides last met in the Uefa Nations League, in June 2022, with Serbia winning 4-1 in Belgrade before a 2-2 draw in Ljubljana a week later.
Team news to follow shortly.