Slovenia 1-1 Serbia: Late leveller hands England boost ahead of Denmark clash

6 months ago 56

SERBIAN football chiefs have threatened to withdraw from Euro 2024 – but the team doesn’t appear to be listening.

A last-gasp equaliser gives the tournament’s angriest nation a fighting chance of reaching the last 16 with their first point so far.

Luka Jovic celebrates after earning a point[/caption]

Serbia badly needed a result[/caption]

Jovic rose highest to nod home a corner[/caption]

A header by AC Milan’s Luka Jovic sparked chaotic scenes in the crowd at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.

The Group C match against their Balkan neighbours was played out against the backdrop of a political fallout.

Serbian FA bosses slammed UEFA and said they were ready to take the squad home in protest at chants aimed at their country by rival Croatia and Albania fans in an earlier match.

Serbian FA general secretary Jovan Surbatovic said: “What happened is scandalous and we will ask UEFA for sanctions, even at the cost of not continuing the competition.

“We will request UEFA to punish the federations of both teams.

“We don’t want to participate in that, but if UEFA doesn’t punish them, we will think about how to proceed.”

The row centres around simmering tensions following conflict in the area in the 1990s.

There could yet be more controversy for the Serbian FA after Slovenian left-back Erik Janza was pelted with plastic cups lobbed by fuming Serbia fans in the closing stages.

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Serbia sparked wild scenes with a late header[/caption]

Zan Karnicnik celebrates his opener[/caption]

The Slovenia star was left with a simple finish[/caption]

Flares landed on the pitch and red smoke bombs clouded the air.

But the heated atmosphere among the 75,000 crowd clearly paid off for the Serbs as they levelled with the last action of a game which grew in tempo as time went on.

Slovenia looked to have secured victory with a breakaway goal thanks to an incredible run by right-back Zan Karnicnik with 21 minutes left.

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The defender started and finished the move which began in the Slovenian half.

His neat tap-in on the end of a cross looked like it would be enough.

A series of great saves by Slovenia keeper Jan Oblak and a string of missed chances by Serbian ex-Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic also appeared to sound the death knell on their chances of staying in.

The powerful centre forward hit the bar, headed just wide, scuffed shots and had two shots saved by Atletico Madrid’s renowned No1.

With one point it is still unlikely Serbia will progress and conceding a late equaliser will knock Slovenian confidence as they prepare to meet England in their final Group C match next Tuesday.