By Theo van Zyl
A last kick of the game Luka Jovic header against Slovenia gave Serbia a lifeline in Group C at Euro 2024 on Thursday.
Both sides failed to win their opening matches, meaning losing was not an option for either side.
It was a cagey start to the game, with neither team creating any clear-cut chances.
Slovenia came closest in the first half when Timi Elsnik struck the post which rebounded to their star striker Benjamin Sesko who fired his shot over the crossbar. A chance that a player of his quality should be taking, having been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.
So for just the second time in this European Championship, the first half ended goalless.
After 68 minutes the deadlock was finally broken, making it the longest we’ve had to wait for a goal so far in this tournament.
Slovenian right-back Zan Karnicnik sneaked in at the far post for an easy tap-in from Elsnik’s cross.
Karnicnik went from goal-hero to goal-saver minutes later when he was able to crucially deflect Alexandr Mitrovic’s point-blank effort onto the crossbar.
Serbia threw everything they had at Slovenia in the dying stages of the match, who for 94 minutes were able to shut them out.
But in the 95th minute, with one of the last actions of the game, Luka Jovic headed home from a corner to keep Serbia alive in the tournament.
Slovenia will be disappointed to not have won this game, but remain well-positioned in the group.
That being said, they will have to play a very strong England side on Tuesday while Serbia plays Denmark.
Pictured above: Luka Jovic.
Source: Serie A/X
