“Alec Van Hoorenbeeck scored from a corner to give Hajduk Split a half-time lead, the goal surviving a VAR check before being confirmed. The Belgian midfielder had been booked earlier in the half but showed composure to convert and silence the home crowd at exactly the right moment.”
Pivotal“Just eight minutes into the second half, Marko Roginic equalised for Žilina, assisted by Frantisek Kosa, restoring parity and giving the home side renewed momentum following half-time adjustments that included the introduction of Marek Okal.”
Pivotal“In the final minute of normal time, Hajduk Split defender Dario Melnjak turned a corner into his own net under pressure, gifting Žilina a 2-1 victory in heartbreaking fashion for the Croatian visitors who had done enough to look like holding out for a share of the spoils.”
Pivotal
Žilina
Hajduk Split
Žilina produced a backs-to-the-wall European performance at home, controlling the ball for 53% of possession but struggling to trouble the Hajduk goalkeeper — managing just one shot on target compared to Hajduk's five. The Croatian side looked to have secured a first-leg advantage when Alec Van Hoorenbeeck tapped in from a corner at the end of the first half, a goal that survived a VAR check before being confirmed. Žilina's response was immediate after the interval, with manager-prompted substitutions reshaping the side — Marek Okal was introduced at half-time, and within minutes Marko Roginic levelled from close range, assisted by Frantisek Kosa, to give the home support belief. Despite Hajduk being the more dangerous side on paper — their five shots on target dwarfing Žilina's single effort — it was the home side who conjured the decisive moment when pressure from a late corner forced Dario Melnjak to turn the ball into his own net in the 90th minute, sending Žilina through with a result that their shot statistics barely justified.
How entertaining was this match?
Andrei FloreaYellow CardYellow card issued to Andrei Florea.
Goal! An own goal by Alec Van Hoorenbeeck makes it 2-1.
Corner awarded.
Marko Livaja is on, and Michele Sego is off.
Andrei Florea is on, and Xavier Adang is off.
Substitution: Adam Guram comes on for Roko Brajkovic.
Abdoulie Sanyang comes on for Simun Hrgovic.
Samuel Datko is on, and Patrik Ilko is off.
Xavier AdangYellow CardXavier Adang receives a yellow card.
On Michal Fasko, off Frantisek Kosa.
Fabian Bzdyl comes on for Miroslav Kacer.
Dalisson de Almeida comes on for Noa Skoko.
Corner awarded.
Marko RoginicVAR decision confirms a goal for Marko Roginic.
Goal! Marko Roginic scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Frantisek Kosa.
Marek Okal comes on for Tobias Paliscak.
VAR decision confirms the goal by Alec Van Hoorenbeeck.
First half ends with the score at 0-1.
assist: Simun Hrgovic
Goal! Alec Van Hoorenbeeck scores, making it 1-0.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Yellow card issued to Alec Van Hoorenbeeck.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Simun HrgovicYellow CardYellow card shown to Simun Hrgovic.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off! The referee is Horatiu Fesnic.
Hajduk Split arrive in Slovakia holding a commanding 2–0 aggregate lead from the first leg, leaving Žilina needing to score at least twice without reply just to force extra time. It's a historic first-ever competitive meeting between these clubs, and while the home side have plenty of motivation, Hajduk's three consecutive clean sheets make the task look mountainous.
