UEFA Euro 2024 scores, results, highlights, standings: Serbia equalize against Slovenia with last gasp header

Luka Jovic’s late header earned Serbia an invaluable point in Euro 2024 Group C, with a 1-1 draw with Slovenia keeping their hopes alive ahead of the final matchday. In a tournament of late drama, there were few moments as significant as the 96th-minute goal that lifted the Serbs from the brink of elimination – they could have been eliminated even before the final group game – and knowing that a victory against Denmark in the final round of games, would almost certainly be enough to reach the knockout stage.

Thursday’s final games will feature replays of both Euro 2020 semi-finals. First, England will try to put in a better performance that ends with the same result as their opening Group C game, while Denmark chase their first victory in the competition. Today’s headline could be the most exciting of the group stage, as champions Italy face a Spanish side who hit great form in their opening win over Croatia.

Euro 2024 results for Thursday

All Eastern times

• Slovenia 1, Serbia 1
• England v Denmark, 12pm
• Spain x Italy, 3pm

Slovenia 1, Serbia 1: Jovic saves the Serbs late

With 95 and a half minutes played, Serbia were witnessing what could have been the quickest elimination from Euro 2024. Then, with the final touch of the game, Jovic saved them. The AC Milan striker was one of a series of attackers released at the time of his death as Dragan Stojkovic desperately tried to avoid a defeat to Slovenia, which would mean their hopes of qualification slipping out of the hands of Serbia, considered by many to be dark horses for make a big impact in the tournament a week ago. They could still do it, even if they need to beat Denmark in the last game.

Jovic’s late equalizer was harsh on Slovenia and, in particular, on Zan Karnicnik, whose 69th-minute goal looked to have secured their first European Championship victory. The Celje right-back’s goal was a moment of great individual quality in a very weak game in that regard, with the play starting with Karnicnik himself stealing possession of the ball before moving forward to finish off the counterattack, deflecting Timi Max Elsnik’s cross beyond a helpless man. Predrag Rajkovic.

Having entered the field in search of a crucial goal, Karnicnik might have had the right to stand up for a moment or two. Fortunately for Slovenia, he didn’t and, moments later, he was on hand to deflect Aleksandar Mitrovic’s first shot, sending the Al Hilal striker’s shot off the post. This would be the best opportunity that Mitrovic missed in a game similar to the defeat to England, where Serbia saw a lot of possession, but only translated this into crushing pressure on Jan Oblak’s goal in the last seconds.

The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, so authoritative over the previous 95 minutes, appeared to be thrown back by the wave of Serbian bodies in his box as Jovic rose to head Ivan Ilic’s corner down without Oblak coming close to putting on a glove. on the ball.

Group B outlook

The draw between Albania and Croatia yesterday did not please either team, despite the former being jubilant after Klaus Gjasula’s late equalizer. The Spain and Italy that emerge victorious will qualify in first place, tying with one of the third-placed teams from elsewhere. For the losers, even a point in the final match would probably be enough. A draw for both former champions tonight and both would be extremely well placed to reach the last 16.

Group C outlook

England can qualify as Group C winners with a victory over Denmark, a victory that would be welcomed by Slovenia, especially if it meant Gareth Southgate would face a weakened team in the final group game. Denmark would take first place with a win, while a draw would leave them with a lot of work to do. Losing and the final group stage game against Serbia could be a big surprise; would win and either side would accumulate the four points that have always been enough to reach the knockout stages since the championship was expanded to 24 teams at Euro 2016.

What happened on Wednesday

The sixth day of the tournament saw the first guaranteed qualifiers, with Germany securing passage to the round of 16 with a solid 2-0 victory over Hungary. Switzerland are yet to secure their place following their 1-1 draw with Scotland, but it is highly unlikely that the four points they have already gained will not be enough, whether they finish third or second. The Scots and Hungary could well compete for third place in Stuttgart on Sunday. Meanwhile, in Group B, Croatia and Albania shared the first points of the tournament, in a thrilling game in which Gjasula went from being a villain whose own goal condemned his country to defeat, but he scored in the 96th minute.

Friday Games

All Eastern times

Slovakia x Ukraine, 9am (preview)
Poland x Austria, 12pm (preview)
Netherlands x France, 3pm (preview)