2 – 2
“Rokas Pukstas opens the scoring from a corner, giving Hajduk an early lead that their dominant opening spell deserved.”
Pivotal“Emil Frederiksen pulls Istra level just before the break, cancelling out Hajduk's lead against the run of play after Adrion Pajaziti and Alec Van Hoorenbeeck had threatened earlier in the half.”
Pivotal“Marko Livaja, on as a second-half substitute, finally converts to restore Hajduk's lead with just six minutes remaining, appearing to have won it for the hosts.”
Pivotal“Substitute Dukan Ahmeti breaks Hajduk hearts in stoppage time, equalising for Istra after Dario Melnjak's shot had been saved moments earlier and Rokas Pukstas had seen an effort blocked — a devastating late leveller that denies the hosts all three points.”
Pivotal
Hajduk Split
Istra 1961
Outstanding performance
Hajduk Split•MidfielderHajduk Split dominated this fixture from start to finish — 61% possession, 17 shots to Istra's seven, and a dangerous attack count almost double their visitors — yet they leave with only a point to show for it. Rokas Pukstas gave the hosts a deserved lead from a corner in the 15th minute, but Emil Frederiksen's equaliser just before half-time kept Istra in it against the run of play. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Hajduk pressing relentlessly but struggling to convert their dominance into goals until Marko Livaja, introduced as a substitute at the break, finally broke through in the 84th minute to seemingly seal the win. But Istra, who had barely threatened all afternoon with just two shots on target, conjured a stunning late sucker-punch when substitute Dukan Ahmeti equalised in stoppage time — a gut-punch result for a Hajduk side that will feel they did everything but win. For Istra, sitting at the foot of the table and desperate for points, this feels closer to a victory.
How entertaining was this match?
assist: Hamza Jaganjac
Goal! Dukan Ahmeti scores, bringing the match to 2-2.
Rokas Pukstas takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Dario Melnjak takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Dario Melnjak is on, and Marin Soticek is off.
Corner awarded.
Dario Melnjak is on, and Marin Soticek is off.
Corner awarded.
Goal! The score is now 2-1.
Marko Livaja takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Matija Kablar replaces Gustavo Albarracín.
Mathieu Acapandie comes on for Niko Sigur.
Advan Kadusic replaces Rene Hrvatin.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Andjelo Sutalo takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Simun Hrgovic takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Hamza Jaganjac takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Rokas Pukstas takes a header shot but misses.
Andjelo Sutalo takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Vinko Rozic comes on for Nik Skafar Zuzic.
Dukan Ahmeti replaces Ivan Saranic.
Dukan Ahmeti comes on for Ivan Saranic.
Samuli MiettinenYellow CardYellow card issued to Samuli Miettinen.
Yellow card shown to Samuli Miettinen.
Corner awarded.
Marin Soticek receives a yellow card.
Rokas Pukstas takes a shot with his head but misses.
Marin Soticek takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Antonio Mauric is substituted on for Daouda Doumbia.
Dalisson de Almeida is on, and Luka Hodak is off.
Marko Livaja is on, and Michele Sego is off.
Substitution: Andjelo Sutalo comes on for Abdoulie Sanyang.
Daouda DoumbiaYellow CardYellow card issued to Daouda Doumbia.
Ivan Saranic takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
Nik Skafar Zuzic takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Emil FrederiksenEmil Frederiksen takes a shot with his left foot and scores.
First half ends with the score at 1-1.
Goal! Emil Frederiksen scores, making it 1-1.
Adrion Pajaziti takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Alec Van Hoorenbeeck takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Rokas Pukstas takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Simun Hrgovic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Rokas PukstasRokas Pukstas takes a shot with his head and scores a goal.
assist: Simun Hrgovic
Goal! Rokas Pukstas scores to make it 1-0.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off! The referee is Mateo Erceg.
Hajduk Split host Istra 1961 at Stadion Poljud in a Round 2 clash that carries unexpected early-season urgency, with both clubs still searching for their first points of the 2026/27 HNL campaign. A defeat for either side would leave them adrift at the foot of the table while rivals above already bank wins.
