Jovic’s last-gasp secures draw for Serbia to remain in contest
Jovic celebrates his goal for Serbia
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Luka Jovic’s last gasp secured a 1-1 draw for Serbia against Slovenia in Euro 2024 in Germany to have hope of qualifying for knockout stage.
A loss for Serbia would have probably eliminated them from the competition, but they have Jovic to thank.
Jovic jumped highest inside the box to meet a perfectly executed corner kick by Ivan Ilic. His header bounced off the ground and went inside the left post behind the goalkeeper five minutes into added time.
Slovenia had taken the lead in the 69th minute of play. Zan Karnicnik received a precise pass inside the box from Timi Max Elsnik and he beat the goalkeeper with a neat finish into the bottom right corner.
Earlier in the first half, Jan Mlakar zig-zagged his way into the box and failed to direct a shot inside the right post as the goalkeeper pulled off a miraculous stop.
Dusan Vlahovic, in the 27th minute met a splendid cross on the edge of the 6-yard box and sent the ball towards the left post, forcing Jan Oblak into a superb diving save to keep it out.
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In the 38th minute, Benjamin Sesko missed a big chance. He fired the ball high over the crossbar from inside the 6-yard box after the ball rebounded to him, but the ball went out of play and Serbia.
Four minutes later, the ball was crossed into the box and Aleksandar Mitrovic reacted quickest to send a shot flying towards the bottom left corner, but Jan Oblak got a glove on it to thwart him.
Shortly after the restart, Mitrovic received a precise low pass inside the box, controlled the ball and released it towards the right post. Unfortunately for him, Oblak made a great save to stop his effort.
In the 59th minute, Benjamin Sesko fashioned a shot from the edge of the box after receiving an accurate pass. Predrag Rajkovic made a stunning save to stop the effort from flying into the top right corner.
In the 79th minute, Zan Karnicnik took a first-time shot from mid-range after he was put in the clear by a great pass, but the effort lacked a little accuracy and went just wide of the left post.
Five minutes to the end of the game, Veljko Birmancevic produced a shot on goal from a mid-range free kick. It headed towards the top right corner, but the keeper averted the danger with a stunning save.
