Serbia dealt Slovenia a heartbreak in their European Championship clash as a late goal secured a 1-1 draw on Thursday, denying Slovenia their maiden victory in the tournament.
Zan Karnicnik’s 69th-minute strike had put Slovenia on course for a historic win, marking their potential breakthrough until substitute Luka Jovic intervened deep into stoppage time, salvaging Serbia's hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.
The goal sparked jubilation among Serbia's fans but also led to incidents of crowd disturbance, with flares and various objects hurled onto the field. Plastic cups littered the pitch during the final minutes, prompting stadium announcements urging fans to cease.
The equalizer proved to be the final action of the match as the referee blew the whistle immediately after play resumed, leaving Slovenia players visibly crestfallen.
“Serbs do not die so easily,” remarked Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic. “We do not give up, and our belief was rewarded tonight. We refused to accept defeat against Slovenia.”
A win would have marked Slovenia’s second-ever victory in a major tournament and their first since defeating Algeria in the 2010 World Cup.
“Slovenia has shown they belong at the Euros,” said Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek. “Football can be harsh, but I believe our efforts will be repaid. Despite the disappointment, our players showed tremendous heart.”
Following a draw with Denmark in their opener, Slovenia will face England in their final group match, while Serbia, having lost to England previously, will meet Denmark, with their knockout stage hopes hanging in the balance.
Serbia's participation in the tournament was initially threatened due to reported offensive fan behavior during the Albania-Croatia match.
“I’m focused solely on the game,” Stojkovic responded when asked about the issue. “I haven’t paid attention to anything else.”
Both teams started the match aggressively, with Slovenia creating early chances that tested Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic. Their efforts in the first half included Timi Elsnik's powerful shot hitting the post and a missed opportunity by Benjamin Sesko.
Slovenia eventually broke through with Karnicnik's solo effort from defense to attack, culminating in a well-taken goal. Serbia responded with urgency, almost equalizing immediately through Aleksandar Mitrovic's shot that hit the crossbar.
In the dying moments, Serbia pushed forward relentlessly, culminating in Jovic's dramatic header in stoppage time to level the score.
The match underscored the competitive spirit of both teams, with Slovenia demonstrating resilience and Serbia showcasing determination in their pursuit of advancement in the tournament.
