Djurgardens IF were left ruing a missed opportunity to strengthen their Allsvenskan top-six standing after Degerfors IF’s Dijan Vukojevic struck in the 89th minute to secure a 1-1 draw at a brisk Stora Valla on Saturday afternoon. The result, though hard-fought, leaves Degerfors still wrestling with relegation concerns, while Djurgardens let slip the chance to push for European qualification places.

From the first whistle, the match was defined by physical duels and a tactical midfield chess match. Djurgardens, boasting 57% possession and superior pass completion, controlled large spells but created little in open play. The opening exchanges were cagey and at times scrappy, with three yellow cards shown before the quarter-hour mark—a signal of just how tight and combative the contest would become.

The breakthrough arrived in the 58th minute, thanks to a composed finish from Jeppe Okkels. Djurgardens’ wide player latched onto a precise delivery from Adam Stahl and slotted home, the move a rare incision in an otherwise congested midfield. The goal rewarded Djurgardens’ patient build-up, as they continued to probe against Degerfors’ compact 4-3-3.

Yet even as Djurgardens pressed for a second, Degerfors—spurred on by their vocal home support—refused to wilt. Coach Henok Goitom’s substitutions injected much-needed energy, and as Degerfors committed more bodies forward in the final ten minutes, the match’s tempo shifted. The hosts, who had managed just four shots on target to this point, grew bolder with every minute.

The equalizer, when it came, typified Degerfors’ battling spirit. In the 89th minute, Daniel Sundgren surged down the right and swung in a cross that found Vukojevic, who coolly finished past Filip Manojlović to send Stora Valla into raptures. It was no less than Degerfors merited after a determined late push that saw them register seven corners and outshoot their more fancied visitors nine to four overall.

Djurgardens will reflect on missed chances and a lack of cutting edge, despite their territorial dominance. August Priske and Tokmac Nguen struggled to trouble Degerfors goalkeeper Matvei Igonen, who, with only one save required, had a relatively quiet afternoon. Defensively, Djurgardens held firm until the final minutes but ultimately could not withstand Degerfors’ late rally.

The draw does little to ease Degerfors’ precarious position near the bottom of the table, but the manner of their late comeback may yet provide a psychological boost as the season nears its climax. For Djurgardens, two points dropped means further work is needed to secure a European berth in a tightly packed Allsvenskan race.

(For a visual recap of the match’s key moments and atmosphere, refer to the official Allsvenskan YouTube channel, which offers highlights and analysis with more than 200,000 subscribers.)