Slovenia 1-1 Serbia: Jovic’s Dramatic Late Goal Keeps Serbia in Euro 2024 Hunt
Slovenia hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 were dashed by Luka Jovic’s dramatic 96th-minute goal for Serbia on Thursday. This late strike secured Serbia’s place in the tournament and left Slovenia reflecting on missed opportunities.
Jan Oblak’s Heroics Go in Vain
Jan Oblak delivered another outstanding performance in goal, setting the stage for left-back Zan Karnicnik’s goal, which seemed like a Slovenian winner in the second half. However, Serbia’s final offensive was successful when substitute Jovic expertly converted a corner kick into a goal during the last move of the match.
Serbia’s Strategy Pays Off in Munich
Serbia’s performance in the second half against England raised expectations for an aggressive approach in Munich. Unfortunately, poor ball control hindered their efforts. Despite this, Serbia managed to capitalize on their chances.
Slovenia’s Struggles with Finishing
Slovenia frequently gained possession but struggled with poor finishing. Jan Mlakar missed an early chance after nine minutes, and Timi Max Elsnik hit the post just before halftime. Benjamin Sesko’s rebound attempt went wide, highlighting Slovenia’s scoring woes.
Serbia’s Defensive Resilience
Serbia took 28 minutes to respond to Slovenia’s best first-half opportunity. Aleksandar Mitrovic skillfully outpaced his opponent, but Oblak denied him with a close-range save. Serbia’s defense remained strong throughout the match.
Oblak’s Stellar Saves
In the second half, Oblak continued to shine, preventing Mitrovic from scoring with a brilliant save. Dusan Tadic’s cross nearly resulted in an own goal, but Jaka Biol’s header went just wide of the Slovenian net.
Slovenia 1-0 Serbia: Karnicnik’s Historic Goal
Oblak’s heroics were not enough to prevent Serbia’s late surge. NK Celje defender Karnicnik scored a historic goal for Slovenia, putting them ahead in the 69th minute. Mitrovic’s frustrating day continued as Karnicnik deflected his shot off the wall.
Slovenia 1-1 Serbia: Jovic’s Decisive Goal
Despite multiple Serbian attempts, it was Jovic’s final header that broke through Slovenia’s defense. Stepping off the bench, Jovic scored the decisive goal, ensuring Serbia’s victory.
Slovenia vs Serbia: Upcoming Matches and Final Hopes
Serbia now faces Denmark on Tuesday, with a win securing their place in the knockout stage; Slovenia, on the other hand, must overcome England to keep their Euro 2024 hopes alive. This match will be crucial for Slovenia’s chances of progressing.
In conclusion, Slovenia’s journey to Euro 2024 ended in heartbreak due to Jovic’s last-minute heroics. Despite Oblak’s remarkable saves and Karnicnik’s goal, Slovenia’s struggles with finishing proved costly. The upcoming matches will determine the final fate of both teams in this tournament.
