3 – 2
“Mohamed Nasraoui turns the ball into his own net to hand Rijeka an 18th-minute lead, capping a sustained period of pressure that had already seen Fruk and Saranic test the Istra goalkeeper.”
Pivotal“Jakov Puljic doubles Rijeka's lead from close range just before half-time after Toni Fruk's blocked shot fell kindly in the box, before Puljic then missed a penalty moments later — a missed chance to make it 3-0 before the break.”
Pivotal“Toni Fruk puts the match to bed eight minutes into the second half, finishing to make it 3-0 and seemingly ending any hope of an Istra comeback.”
Pivotal“Hamza Jaganjac, who had been booked just nine minutes earlier for a foul, atones with a right-footed finish to pull one back for Istra and give the visitors a foothold in the contest.”
“Emil Frederiksen curls home in stoppage time to make it 3-2, setting up a nervy finish but ultimately arriving too late for Istra to find an equaliser.”
Rijeka
Istra 1961
Rijeka were utterly dominant in the first hour, building a commanding 3-0 lead through an early own goal, a Puljic strike, and Toni Fruk's finish to put the game beyond reasonable doubt. With 59% possession and eight shots on target compared to Istra's three, the hosts were clinical and controlled, allowing their visitors very little in the first half. The second half saw a flurry of substitutions — six changes across both sides between the 60th and 62nd minute — which disrupted Rijeka's rhythm and gave Istra a lifeline. Hamza Jaganjac, booked earlier in the half, pulled one back on 71 minutes, and Emil Frederiksen added a second deep into stoppage time to set up a nervy finish, but Rijeka held on to claim three points that consolidate their position in the Croatian top flight.
How entertaining was this match?
Hamza Jaganjac takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Goal! The score is now 3-2.
Corner awarded.
Emil Frederiksen's left-footed shot is saved.
Mladen Devetak replaces Niko Jankovic.
Vinko Rozic takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Emil Frederiksen takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Mladen Devetak comes on for Niko Jankovic.
Vinko Rozic takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Vinko Rozic takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Matija Kablar comes on for Ivan Saranic.
Alfonso Barco takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Raul Kumar takes a header shot but misses.
Niko Jankovic takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Daniel Adu Adjei is on, and Jakov Puljic is off.
Daniel Adu Adjei is on, and Jakov Puljic is off.
Substitution: Alfonso Barco comes on for Anel Husic.
Goal! The score is now 3-1.
Shot from Hamza Jaganjac with his right foot results in a goal.
Ante Orec takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Niko Jankovic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Hamza JaganjacYellow CardYellow card shown to Hamza Jaganjac.
Gustavo Albarracín comes on for Daouda Doumbia.
Rene Hrvatin is on, and Advan Kadusic is off.
Vinko Rozic comes on for Nik Skafar Zuzic.
Toni Fruk takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Branko Pavic is on, and Samuele Vignato is off.
On comes Amer Gojak, off goes Ivan Cubelic.
Niko Jankovic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Toni FrukToni Fruk takes a right-footed shot but misses.
assist: Tiago Dantas
Goal! Toni Fruk scores, making it 3-0.
Emil Frederiksen takes a left-footed shot but misses.
First half ends with the score at 2-0.
Corner awarded.
Jakov PuljicJakov Puljic takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Jakov Puljic takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Jakov PuljicPenalty saved! Jakov Puljic's attempt does not find the net.
Penalty saved! Jakov Puljic misses the shot.
Goal! Jakov Puljic scores, making it 2-0.
Toni FrukToni Fruk takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Jakov Puljic takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
VAR decision reviewed for Niko Jankovic.
Shot by Mohamed Nasraoui with a header, but it misses the target.
Corner awarded.
Mohamed NasraouiShot by Mohamed Nasraoui results in an own goal.
Goal! An own goal by Mohamed Nasraoui puts the score at 1-0.
Nik Skafar Zuzic takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Shot from Ivan Saranic with his left foot, but it's saved.
Toni Fruk takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Niko Jankovic takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jakov Puljic takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Kick-off! The referee is Igor Pajac.
