The midfielder, who scored 10 times during the qualifying campaign, was on target in Charleroi to put his country 1-0 ahead at half-time against Yugoslavia in Group C.

The Charleroi stadium, under microscopic scrutiny ahead of Saturday's Group A showdown between England and Germany, was not even half full for tonight's Balkan clash.

Slovenia, making their debut in a major championship finals, did not look overawed against the country from whom they gained independence 10 years ago.

After dominating early possession, Zeljko Milinovic whistled a low free-kick a foot wide of Ivica Kralj's right-hand post from 25 yards.

Amir Karic swung two swerving free-kicks into the goalmouth from the left but Yugoslavia survived and almost punished Slovenia with their first serious attack in the ninth minute.

Ljubinko Drulovic threaded a neat pass through an inside-left channel and Predrag Mijatovic spun quickly and fired a low left-foot shot which Mladen Dabanovic beat away.

Karic's cheeky lob dropped over the bar for Slovenia - but five minutes later the Euro 2000 minnows were ahead.

Vladimir Jugovic conceded a foul in midfield which Solvenia took quickly, switching play out to the left where their greatest threat had come from during the opening exchanges.

Ales Ceh whipped a vicious cross into the area and Zahovic, who had charged forward from midfield, twisted in mid-air to head the ball past Kralj in the 23rd minute.

The attacking midfielder, who has spent most of the season in dispute with his club Olympiakos, scored 10 times during Slovenia's qualifying campaign.

Zahovic almost extended his incredible goalscoring run after an intricate Solvenian move down the left.

Saso Udovic unlocked the Yugoslav defence with a short pass into Zahovic's run but this time the midfielder could not find the net. He tried to shoot beneath the dive of Kralj but the big keeper saved with his legs.

Sinisa Mihajlovic produced a brilliant defensive header to stop Udovic connecting with a Karic cross, then Karic dragged a half-volley wide after a mistake by Ivan Dudic.

A sloppy pass from Karic in his own penalty area gave his team a scare. Dragan Stojkovic, on as a substitute for Dejan Stankovic, was the unintended recipient of the pass but his cross to the back post ran to safety.