EURO 2024 | SERBIA NEVER GIVES UP, JUSTICE VS. SLOVENIA IN 90+5’

The second match of the group stage of the European Championship in Germany between Serbian and Slovenian national team in Munich ended up to a draw – 1:1 (0:0). Both goals were scored in the second half, Slovenia took the lead, and after many missed opportunities, justice was done in the last moments of the match, Luka Jović scored in 90+5’.

SCORERS: 1:0 Karničnik 69, 1:1 Jović 90+5. „Allianz Arena“ stadium in Munich. Referee: Istvan Kovacs (Romania)

SLOVENIA: Oblak, Karničnik, Drkušić, Bijol, Janža, Stojanović (76’ Verbič), Čerin, Elšnik (90+1’ Brekalo), Mlakar (63’ Stanković),  Šporar, Šeško (76’ Vipotnik). Coach Matjaž Kek

SERBIA: Rajković, Veljković, Milenković, Pavlović, Živković (81’ Birmančević), Ilić, Lukić (63’ Sergej Milinković Savić), Mladenović (46’ Gaćinović), Tadić (81’ Samardžić), Mitrović, Vlahović (63’ Jović). Coach Dragan Stojković.

In the first part of the game, we could see a hard, very tight game with few opportunities. Slovenia was the first to get into a better situation, in the seventh minute, when Rajković brilliantly intervened and saved Mlakar’s shot with his foot. There were no opportunities until the 27th minute when Mladenović and Ilić combined on the left side, followed by a cross and a header by Vlahović, but Oblak was on the spot. The 31st minute was played when there was confusion in the back line of the Slovenian team and a corner for the Eagles which was taken by Tadić. Mitrović was on the second goalpost, but at the last moment, someone from the defense reacted and prevented the leadership of our selection. The most dangerous situation in front of Rajković’s goal was in the 37th minute, when Elšnik hit the post, and Šepko sent the rebound over the goal. On the other side, Vlahović attempted from a free kick. By the end of the half, we could see Mitrović’s chance, after the crowding in the Slovenian penalty area and Lukić’s shot that ended up on the leg of one of the Slovenian defenders.

The continuation immediately brought a fantastic opportunity with Tadić – Mitrović tandem on the spotlight.   It seemed as if the realization was inevitable, but Oblak showed why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Gaćinović, who entered the game instead of Mladenović, was also close to the goal, then Mitrović again after Tadić’s cross. Corner after corner in front of Oblak’s goal, and Slovenia practically did not cross the centerfield. Slovenia threatened for the first time in the 58th minute, Šeško shot, but Rajković kicked the ball into the corner. In the 69th minute when, after the Eagles „lost“ the ball, Slovenia started with a counterattack, a cross followed, and Karničnik pushed the ball into the goal at the second post. We could have equalized in the 82nd minute, after a solo action by Samardžić, who entered the game instead of Tadić, then Birmancevic replaced Živković. Serbia had the initiative until the end, it was practically played in front of Oblak’s goal, and justice arrived at 90+5. After the corner kick, Luka Jović jumped high and brought justice.

The draw which bringd high hopes for the Eagles ahead of the final match in the group stage, against Denmark on June 25 in Munich.