Final result: Slovenia-Serbia 1-1
SLOVENIA (edited by Filippo D’Angelo)
Oblak 7 – He performs two real miracles on Mitrovic, becoming the best on the pitch for Slovenia. However, he can do very little about Jovic’s header.
Karnicnik 7 – Scores a huge goal for Slovenia, making good use of an assist from Elsnik and mocking Rajkovic from a few steps away. A match that will be remembered for a long time, except for the mocking final result for the Slovenians.
Drkusic 5.5 – He works well in the duels against the Serbian attackers but falls asleep towards the end, unable to avoid the equalizer scored by Jovic.
Bijol 6 – He is practically flawless in marking Vlahovic but only loses his way towards the end, where Jovic mocks him with a header that makes it 1-1 for Serbia.
Janza 6 – Less flashy than the debut match but still effective in both phases. He doesn’t find the goal, gets a yellow card but brings home enough.
Stojanovic 6 – One of the best on the pitch on both sides. He spends every energy until the end and delivers a high level performance. From 76′ Vipotnik sv.
Cerin 6 – In the middle of the pitch he struggles at times but overall he works well and helps his Slovenia a lot, only mocked by a header with time almost up.
Elsnik 6.5 – One of the keys to this Slovenia. He draws the perfect cross for Karnicnik, who doesn’t miss from two steps and thanks him by scoring the momentary 1-0 goal.
Mlakar 5.5 – An hour of play in which he spent a lot of energy, trying to block the partial without success at the start of the match. From 64′ Stankovic 6 – Excellent impact on the match. He saves Slovenia from a possible goal by Ilic but he is attentive and imposes himself.
Sesko 6 – A game of great sacrifice for the Leipzig striker, who came close to scoring in the second half, denied only by Rajkovic’s reactivity. From 76′ Verbic 5 – Too nervous when he entered the pitch. It certainly wasn’t any help for Kek.
Spore 5.5 – Despite a good game for his Slovenia, he is in the shadows and is rarely seen, especially in the attacking area.
Matjaz Kek 5.5 – His Slovenia will now face their most difficult test against England. The three points would have been perfect but certain carelessness, especially on inactive balls, must be eliminated.
SERBIA (edited by Filippo D’Angelo)
Rajkovic 5.5 – Uncertain on some occasions, he could do very little when Karnicnik took the lead for Slovenia. His defense, however, has more than one responsibility.
Veljkovic 5.5 – He certainly has a difficult task on the right arm but he tries to work to the best of his ability. However, the Slovenian goal weighs heavily on his performance and that of the entire Serbian defence.
Milenkovic 5.5 – He tries to guide Serbia’s defense but is fooled midway through the second half by a Slovenian break which leads to Karnicnik’s goal. A defender of his worth should have done more.
Pavlovic 6 – At times one of the best, he wins many duels but perhaps loses half a point due to the defensive inattention that cost Slovenia the goal. Too much space allowed by Serbia’s defensive trio.
Zivkovic 5.5 – On the right lane he works with a lot of energy and determination but often leaves plenty of space for his opponents to make counterattacks. From 82′ Birmancevic sv
Ilic 6.5 – He is launched as a starter and does not disappoint expectations, providing the perfect assist for Jovic’s goal with time almost up. An excellent performance for the Torino midfielder, who will also have a good chance for the third and final match.
Lukic 5.5 – Overall he doesn’t have a bad game but the yellow card at the start of the second half affects him, convincing Stojkovic to replace him midway through the second half. From 64′ Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 5 – Five minutes after entering the field, Karnicnik loses, offering Slovenia the right opportunity to score.
Mladenovic 5 – He doesn’t shine in his first match as a starter at the European Championship. Called into action in place of the injured Kostic, he leaves the field after the end of the first half with a yellow card on his shoulders. From 46′ Gacinovic 5 – He falls asleep in the play preceding the Slovenian lead. He has more than one responsibility for the restart started by Karnicnik and also gets a yellow card.
Tadic 5.5 – Absent in the first half, he recovers in the second half and is more inspired but can’t find the right action to strike. From 82′ Samardzic sv
Vlahovic 5 – His second match at Euro 2024 is also to be forgotten. In the first half he tries to light up with a header but is never as incisive as he should. He suffers a lot from the duel with Bijol. From 64′ Jovic 7.5 – He anticipates the Slovenian defense in the last action of the match, bagging a very heavy goal with a header that keeps Serbia’s hopes alive in terms of qualification.
Mitrovic 5 – He devours two sensational occasions, on which Oblak expresses all his talent. He also has a third chance to score, but the crossbar denies him any joy.
Dragan Stojkovic 5.5 – His Serbia has a lot of quality but suffers atrociously. Too many drops in tension, which will have to be put aside in the decisive match against Denmark.