Euro 2024: Luka Jovic scores last gasp equalizer for Serbia in Group C clash against Slovenia
Serbia's ace striker Luka Jovic struck a 95th-minute equalizer for his side against Slovenia in their second group fixture of the UEFA Euro 2024 on Thursday, June 20. Until then, the Eagles were heading out of the tournament, having lost their opening fixture too.
Beaten 1-0 by England on Monday, Dragan Stojković's side desperately needed a point here to keep their progression hopes alive. However, those hopes sustained a huge blow after Zan Karnicnik put Slovenia in front with only 21 minutes of normal time remaining.
Serbia, though, kept pushing for an equalizer and won a few set-pieces but to no avail. Jovic was thrown in after two minutes into stoppage time and three minutes later, he headed in a corner following an excellent delivery from Ivan Ilic for his 11th international goal. This was perhaps, his most important one yet too.
Atletico Madrid star Jan Oblak had no chance in goal for the effort, as Serbia wheeled away in celebrations. It was a vital goal for them, earning them a crucial point in the group which keeps their knockout chances alive, for now.
In what's their Euro debut as an independent nation, the Eagles have struggled to make a mark despite the array of talents in their squad. This draw may seem like a win, but the fact is, the Balkan outfit remain winless in the championship after two games.
As for Slovenia, who are making their first appearance in the Euros since 2000, a second consecutive draw means they have two points from as many games. Their chances of reaching the round of 16 also currently look slim.
Serbia will face Denmark in their final group fixture on June 25 while Slovenia are up against England the same day.
Serbia and Slovenia face bogey teams in their last group matches
Serbia and Slovenia are both facing a tough path to reach the round of 16 of the Euro 2024. To make things worse, their final group fixtures are against teams they've never beaten before.
In three games against Denmark, Serbia have lost on every occasion. Their first two defeats came in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, where the former completed the qualifier double over them. At the third time of the asking in March 2022, the Eagles went down to the Scandinavian outfit again, losing 3-0 in a friendly.
As for Slovenia, they've faced England six times in history, losing five and drawing once. The one occasion where the Balkan side avoided a loss was in a World Cup qualifying match at home on October 11, 2016.