Euros 2024 has provided fans with some remarkable thrillers already. And the match between Slovenia and Serbia was no different. Slovenia went into the match as underdogs being the 57th-ranked nation up against the 32nd-ranked nation. While the scoreline might suggest otherwise, the 1-1 draw was an end-to-end affair right from the starting whistle.
With both teams in contention for qualifying to the next round, the game started off with chances at either end. After having better chances in the first half, Slovenia were pushed back at the start of the second half when Serbia began attacking with more intent. It was in the 69th minute when against the run of play when Žan Karničnik started a counterattack from his own box, which ultimately finished with running the length of the field to tap the ball into the net. Some fine Oblak saves kept Slovenia in the match even when Serbia kept pushing on. Mitrovic even managed to hit the crossbar once but the ball just didn’t seem to go into the net.
It felt like Slovenia was on course for a famous victory up until the 94th minute. With 5 minutes added on, Luka Jovic had other plans. With what would be the last play of the game, Serbia bombarded the opposition box with all of their personnel including their keeper hoping to turn the incoming corner into a much-needed equaliser. And just like that, Jovic headed the ball past Oblak who had no chance of saving it.
The Serbian crowd were celebrating the late equaliser frantically and their emotions were being reciprocated by the ones on the faces of their players. While their Slovenian counterparts hung their heads in despair.
Both these teams will play their final group games on Tuesday. Slovenia will take on the Three Lions while the Serbians will be up against the Danes in what will be a must-win match for both teams.
