Jović grabs late leveller for Serbia against Slovenia

Group C

Slovenia 1-1 Serbia

Luka Jovic scored a 95th-minute equaliser as Serbia grabbed a last-gasp draw against Slovenia at Euro 2024.

Full-back Zan Karnicnik slotted home a low cross from close range with 20 minutes remaining to put the Slovenians on the verge of a first Euros win, which would have pushed Serbia to the brink of elimination.

But former Real Madrid striker Jovic rescued his country with a near-post flicked header from a corner to spark Serbian joy in Munich.

A draw meanwhile benefits England – Gareth Southgate’s side are guaranteed to progress as Group C winners if they beat Denmark later on Thursday.

Serbia manager Dragan Stojkovic criticised his side for showing England “too much respect” in their Euro 2024 opener, however they produced a similarly slow start in Munich.

Unlike against England, there was no notable improvement after the break before Karnicnik arrived late at the far post to finish Timi Elsnik’s cross.

Slovenia seemed certain to claim just their second win at a major tournament – their first was against Algeria at the 2010 World Cup – and move to the brink of reaching the knockout stages of a major finals for the first time.

But Jovic’s goal means both sides still have everything to play for going into their final group games on Tuesday, when Slovenia face England and Serbia take on Denmark at 20:00 BST.

The Slovenians had two shots on target in the opening 12 minutes – the same number they managed in the entirity of their draw with Denmark – and the best of the first-half openings.

On 38 minutes Elsnik hit the near post with a powerful effort. The rebound fell to Benjamin Sesko, but the tall striker – previously linked with Arsenal and Manchester United – skewed his shot wide.

At the other end, Serbia talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic was twice denied excellently by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak one-on-one.

Slovenia continued to push after the break, Predrag Rajkovic going full stretch to tip over a Sesko drive – but he could do nothing to deny Karnicnik, who sent the white-shirted supporters into raptures.

The right-back was then the hero at the other end as he made a last-gasp block to deflect Mitrovic’s close-range volley on to the bar.

The story seemed written that the smallest nation at Euro 2024, with a population of 2.1 million, would secure a historic win.

But just as the mood was turning nasty with warnings broadcast at the stadium in Munich for fans to stop throwing bottles, Jovic stepped up to keep Serbia’s tournament alive and break Slovenian hearts.