HNK Rijeka secured their second win of the season, defeating Istra 1961 3-2.
How did the match unfold?
Rijeka took the lead in the 18th minute with an own goal by Mohamed Nasraouij. In the 43rd minute, Jakov Puljić increased the lead to 2-0. Toni Fruk scored the third goal in the 53rd minute. The visitors played well in the final stages, reducing the deficit to 1-3 and 2-3, but couldn't avoid defeat.
What's next for HNK Rijeka?
HNK Rijeka currently has 3 points and is in 7th place in the HNL, 6 points behind leaders Dinamo Zagreb. The next match is against HNK Gorica, scheduled for February 20, 2027.
How did HNK Rijeka achieve this win?
Rijeka threatened early, with Puljić attempting a shot in the first minute, but it was saved by the visiting goalkeeper Kolić. Istra 1961 then had two good chances, in the 14th and 16th minutes.
How many goals has HNK Rijeka scored this season?
HNK Rijeka has scored 2 goals and conceded 3 this season, resulting in a goal difference of -1. Rijeka took the lead in the 18th minute with an own goal by Nasraouij. The ball deflected off an Istra 1961 player and into the visitor's net for the home team's celebration. The game calmed down until the end of the first half, when Rijeka's players pressured the opponent, and their aggressiveness earned them a second goal. First, Janković shot in the 38th minute, but it was saved by Kolić, and two minutes later, Fruk could have been dangerous for the visitors. The lead increased in the 43rd minute. A penalty was awarded to Rijeka, and from the second attempt, Puljić scored the opponent's net and increased the lead to 2-0. Where Rijeka stopped in the first half, they continued in the second. In the 50th minute, a nice action by Fruk and Oreč didn't bring a third goal, but they celebrated on Rujevica just three minutes later. From the edge of the penalty area, Fruk shot and scored the opposite corner for a 3-0 home team lead. Janković could have scored a fourth goal for Rijeka in the 67th minute, but he shot wide, while the visitors managed to reduce the deficit in the 71st minute. The scorer was Jaganjac after a big mistake by Janković. The visitors could have complicated the match in the final stages. First, Kumar headed wide from a good position in the 76th minute, and in the 81st minute, Rozić took a free kick. The ball hit Janković and bounced off the post. In the 93rd minute, Istra 1961 scored their second goal. The scorer was Frederiksen, but at that moment, time had run out for the visitors, who couldn't avoid defeat.
