“Stanislav Baranov, introduced just five minutes earlier as a substitute, broke the deadlock when he converted Teemu Hytoenen's assist to put Rijeka 1-0 up on the night and firmly in control of the aggregate.”
Pivotal“Ilves hit back within six minutes through Justas Lasickas, levelling at 1-1 on the night and briefly raising home hopes of forcing an aggregate turnaround.”
Pivotal“Mladen Devetak was cautioned for a foul in the closing stages as Rijeka looked to protect their aggregate lead and see out the tie.”
Ilves
Rijeka
A quiet first half gave way to a frantic second-half burst that ultimately decided Rijeka's European fate. Rijeka's coaching staff made the decisive move when they introduced Stanislav Baranov at the hour mark, and the substitute wasted no time justifying the change, converting from Teemu Hytoenen's delivery just five minutes after coming on to put the visitors 1-0 up on the night and in control of the aggregate. Ilves responded almost immediately through Justas Lasickas, who levelled on 70 minutes to make it 1-1 and briefly threaten an extraordinary Finnish comeback, but Rijeka's early-tie advantage proved unassailable. The statistics reflect a match in which Rijeka controlled the tempo — 55 percent possession, more dangerous attacks, and a slight edge in shots on target — while Ilves, to their credit, pressed and created enough to make the final stages uncomfortable, with a flurry of substitutions from both benches adding to the late chaos. Rijeka go through 2-1 on aggregate, securing their place in the next round of the Europa Conference League, while Ilves exit having pushed the Croatian side far closer than many would have expected across two legs.
How entertaining was this match?
Ante Matej Juric is on, and Daniel Adu Adjei is off.
Yellow card issued.
Substitution: Ivan Cubelic comes on for Jakov Puljic.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Hamidou Coulibaly is on, and Anton Popovitch is off.
On Goudouss Bamba, off Ville Kumpu.
Roope Riski comes on for Teemu Hytoenen.
Corner awarded.
Amer Gojak is substituted for Justas Lasickas.
assist: Ante Majstorovic
Goal! The score is now 1-1.
Yacouba Sacko is on, and Yiandro Raap is off.
assist: Teemu Hytönen
Goal! Stanislav Baranov scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Teemu Hytoenen.
Corner awarded.
Stanislav Baranov is on, and Sebastian Suvanne is off.
Corner awarded.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Kick-off! The referee is Genc Nuza.
