Serbia managed to keep their Euro 2024 knockout hopes alive by netting a late goal against Slovenia. The Serbs were just seconds away from seeing their tournament hopes come to an end, but Luka Jovic ensured they had everything to fight for on the final matchday of the Group Stage. Easy to say Jovic was one of the best picks along with Susan Tadic and Jan Oblak in Serbia vs Slovenia player ratings below!
Žan Karničnik stunned Serbia in the second half with a goal in the 70th minute. The right-back stopped an attack and then ran up the pitch before releasing Timi Max Elsnik on the opposite flank. Karničnik then ran the full length of the pitch and met the end of the cross from the midfielder to make it 1-0.
Serbia looked out of sorts as all of their efforts were saved by Oblak or blocked by the defenders. However, substitute Jovic was not ready to give up and ended up scoring a header with the final touch of the Group C game to make it 1-1.
Serbia vs Slovenia Player Ratings: Dusan Tadic 7; Jan Oblak 8
Slovenia National Football Team Player Ratings vs Serbia
GOALKEEPER
Jan Oblak – 8: The goalkeeper did everything to keep a clean sheet, but the final seconds saw Luka Jovic score to level things up for Serbia.
DEFENDERS
Žan Karničnik – 8.5: Started the move and ended up scoring within seconds at the other end with a brilliant move. Was solid in the defense too.
Vanja Drkušić – 6.5: The defender could have done a lot better today and should have done a lot better for the goal conceded at the final minute too.
Jaka Bijol – 7.5: A solid display and the key reason why Mitrovic and Vlahovic had a tough time on the pitch.
Erik Janža – 7: Had a good game and won all his aerial duels. However, he was not as effective as Karnicnik and got booked in the game.
MIDFIELDERS
Petar Stojanović – 6.5: Played 75 minutes in the game, but still did not get a lot involved in the match. Managed just one shot, and it was blocked outside the box.
Adam Gnezda Čerin – 7: Was the first one to take a shot in the game for Slovenia, but it was saved with ease in the 4th minute. Overall, he was solid and helped them keep control of the match.
Timi Max Elšnik – 7: Assisted the goal with a brilliant cross that left the Serbian defense clueless. He managed to get two shots too, but did not trouble the goalkeeper.
Jan Mlakar – 6.5: Came close to scoring in the opening 10 minutes, but his shot was saved. However, his second shot was so wide of the mark, that it was closer to the corner flag.
FORWARDS
Andraž Šporar – 7.5: Decent game in terms of linking up play, but was not the best inside the box.
Benjamin Šeško – 6.5: Had a golden chance to score in the first half but his shot was sky high even though the goal was empty.
SUBSTITUTES
Jon Gorenc Stanković – 6.5
Benjamin Verbič – 6
Žan Vipotnik – 6
David Brekalo – 5
MANAGER
Matjaž Kek – 7
Serbia National Football Team Player Ratings vs Slovenia
GOALKEEPER
Predrag Rajković – 7.5: The goalkeeper was as good as his counterpart Jan Oblak, and kept his side in the game. Could have done better for the goal, but it was hardly his fault.
DEFENDERS
Miloš Veljković – 6.5: Decent game, but could not stop the incoming cross that eventually led to the goal for Slovenia.
Nikola Milenković – 6.5: Was making things hard for Sesko and Sporar in the game, but was more focused on keeping his player away from the ball instead of clearing the cross that led to the goal.
Strahinja Pavlović – 7: The best of the back three, but still the one more at fault for the goal. He was rock solid and won most of his duels.
MIDFIELDERS
Andrija Živković – 8: Pick of the outfielders for Serbia today. He was seen rushing up and down the pitch and created a plethora of chances that were just not converted.
Ivan Ilić – 7.5: Was one of the best players on the pitch and managed to get the all-important corner right at the very end that resulted in Luka Jovic’s goal.
Saša Lukić – 6.5: Came close to scoring in the first half, but it was blocked by a defender. Finished the game with 95% pass success rate and won half of his ground duels.
Filip Mladenović – 5.5: Got hooked at halftime as he was just not able to get into the game.
FORWARDS
Dušan Tadić – 7.5: Pick of the forwards today as he was trying to create chances at every opportunity. However, he did not manage to get a shot away despite coming close from yards out.
Dušan Vlahović – 6: Managed to get three shots in the game, but just not good enough to threaten Oblak’s goal.
Aleksandar Mitrović – 5.5: Wasn’t able to shake off the Slovenian centre-backs which eventually saw him struggle to get space. His shots were either blocked or off target, while the two on target, were easily saved.
SUBSTITUTES
Mijat Gaćinović – 6
Sergej Milinković-Savić – 6,5
Luka Jović – 7.5
Lazar Samardžić – 6.5
Veljko Birmančević – 6.5
MANAGER
Dragan Stojković – 7