Euro24 : Serbia extract last gasp equaliser v Slovenia , Scotland Switzerland play out 1-1 draw

 

Two contrasting 1-1 draws have been played at euro 2024 in the latest rounď of games . While Scotland laboured to a draw with Switzerland, Serbia snatched a last gasp qualiser vs Slovenia in an end to end contest 

Serbia substitute Luka Jovic scored a last-minute equalizer with a header to secure a 1-1 draw against Slovenia in an exciting Group C match at Euro 2024 on Thursday. Zan Karnicnik had initially put Slovenia ahead.

Both teams had moments of dominance, hitting the woodwork and creating numerous chances in an end-to-end game at the Munich Football Arena.

Similar to their match against England, Serbia began slowly, allowing Slovenia to seize early opportunities. Timi Elsnik nearly scored in the first half, hitting the near post after a dribble into the box.

Slovenia eventually took the lead after halftime with a well-crafted goal from right-back and man-of-the-match Karnicnik. Karnicnik started the play from his own penalty area, passed to Elsnik, and then finished the return cross to score past Predrag Rajkovic in the 69th minute, putting Slovenia close to their first-ever Euros win.

Despite several missed opportunities, Serbia increased the pressure in search of an equalizer. Veteran striker Aleksandar Mitrovic hit the post, and it seemed their efforts would go unrewarded until Jovic headed in a corner five minutes into stoppage time, leaving Slovenia devastated.

Serbia, despite having periods of dominance and the threat posed by Mitrovic, who had a close-range shot deflected onto the woodwork by Karnicnik, could not capitalize until Jovic's crucial strike.

Scotland v Switzerland 

Meanwhile in previous night's game , Scotland's dreams of reaching the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time remain alive after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Group A.

Steve Clarke's team showed significant improvement from their 5-1 defeat by Euro 2024 hosts Germany on Friday. Scotland took an early lead when Scott McTominay scored, benefiting from a deflection off Fabian Schar, following a quick counter-attack initiated by Callum McGregor's cut-back.

The goal ignited ecstatic celebrations from the Tartan Army inside Cologne Stadium. However, Switzerland soon equalized through veteran Xherdan Shaqiri, who delivered a brilliant first-time finish from the edge of the box after seizing on Anthony Ralston's errant pass.

Both teams continued to exchange chances in the second half. Angus Gunn, impressive in saving from Dan Ndoye in the first half, again thwarted the Swiss forward in a one-on-one situation. Grant Hanley then headed a major opportunity for Scotland against the post from Andrew Robertson's free-kick.