Žilina 2-1 HNK Hajduk Split: Late Drama in UEFA Europa League Qualifier

Žilina 2-1 HNK Hajduk Split at Štadión pod Dubňom in the UEFA Europa League 1st Qualifying Round turned on late drama, as the hosts overturned a half-time deficit with a second-half response and a stoppage-time own goal to take a narrow advantage from the first leg. With no league standings context attached to this qualifier, the result instead reshapes the tie’s balance, handing Žilina a slender but psychologically important lead to defend in the return match.

Match Report

The game opened with Hajduk Split looking composed in possession and aggressive in duels, and their edge in physical contests brought the first disciplinary note: on 20', Šimun Hrgović (HNK Hajduk Split) received a yellow card for tripping after stepping in late to halt a Žilina transition. Ten minutes later, on 30', Alec Van Hoorenbeeck (HNK Hajduk Split) was also shown a yellow card for tripping, reflecting Hajduk’s increasingly robust approach down the left side as Žilina tried to release their wide players.

The visitors’ pressure paid off in first-half stoppage time. On 45+2', HNK Hajduk Split goal — A. Van Hoorenbeeck (assisted by S. Hrgovic). Hrgović delivered the decisive ball and Van Hoorenbeeck, arriving from the back line, finished to give Hajduk a 1-0 lead at the interval.

Žilina reacted immediately after the break with a change at the back. On 46', M. Okal replaced T. Paliscak (Žilina), a like-for-like defensive adjustment aimed at stabilising the right side and supporting the build-up.

The hosts’ renewed intent quickly translated into an equaliser. On 52', Žilina goal — M. Roginic (assisted by F. Kosa). Roginić finished after a supply from Kóša, levelling the tie at 1-1 and swinging the momentum towards the Slovak side.

Hajduk responded with their first attacking reshuffle on 64', as D. de Almeida replaced N. Skoko (HNK Hajduk Split), injecting fresh legs and creativity into the advanced midfield line.

Žilina then made a double midfield change on 66' to sustain their tempo and press. First, F. Bzdyl replaced M. Kacer (Žilina), followed immediately by M. Fasko replacing F. Kosa (Žilina), the latter change notable given Kóša had just provided the assist for the equaliser. The intention appeared to be adding more direct running and fresh energy between the lines.

The intensity of Žilina’s press brought their first booking. On 67', X. Adang (Žilina) received a yellow card for roughing after a forceful challenge in midfield as he tried to break up a Hajduk counter.

On 72', Žilina further rotated their front line, with S. Datko replacing P. Ilko (Žilina), adding a different profile in attack to keep stretching Hajduk’s back four.

Hajduk then executed a double substitution on 75' to regain control in midfield and out wide. A. Sanyang replaced S. Hrgovic (HNK Hajduk Split), removing an already-booked full-back, while A. Guram replaced R. Brajkovic (HNK Hajduk Split), refreshing the central or wide midfield zone to help them play out under pressure.

As the game entered its final phase, Žilina made another key midfield adjustment on 82', with A. Florea replacing X. Adang (Žilina), both to avoid a second booking risk and to inject more ball progression from the middle.

Hajduk’s final change in regulation time came on 84', when M. Livaja replaced M. Sego (HNK Hajduk Split), a clear attacking move designed to find a late winner and to use Livaja’s experience to hold the ball higher up the pitch.

Instead, the decisive moment went Žilina’s way in stoppage time. On 90+1', Žilina goal — D. Melnjak (own goal, unassisted). Under pressure near his own goal, Melnjak inadvertently turned the ball past his own goalkeeper, flipping the scoreline to 2-1 in favour of the hosts and dramatically altering the complexion of the tie.

There was still time for one last disciplinary note. On 90+2', A. Florea (Žilina) received a yellow card for tripping, a tactical foul to break up a late Hajduk push as Žilina protected their newly gained lead.

Fixture Statistics & Tactical Audit

• xG: Žilina — not available vs HNK Hajduk Split — not available
• Possession: Žilina — not available vs HNK Hajduk Split — not available
• Shots on Target: Žilina — not available vs HNK Hajduk Split — not available
• Goalkeeper Saves: Žilina — not available vs HNK Hajduk Split — not available

With no underlying statistical data recorded for xG, possession, shots or saves, the tactical reading must lean on the pattern of events and substitutions. Hajduk’s first-half control and set-piece or crossing threat were reflected in Van Hoorenbeeck’s goal, while Žilina’s cluster of second-half substitutions — particularly in midfield — underlined a deliberate shift towards higher intensity and fresher legs to press Hajduk’s build-up. The late own goal suggests sustained territorial pressure from Žilina in the closing stages, forcing defensive errors even without clear numerical confirmation of shot volume or possession share.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

As this was a UEFA Europa League 1st Qualifying Round tie and no domestic standings data were provided for either Žilina or HNK Hajduk Split, the key seasonal impact lies in the two-legged context rather than league tables. Žilina carry a 2-1 lead into the second leg, meaning Hajduk must overturn a one-goal deficit at home to progress. The away side’s first-half superiority will offer some encouragement, but conceding twice after the interval — including a stoppage-time own goal — leaves them under pressure in front of their own supporters, while Žilina gain both the scoreboard edge and a psychological boost from their comeback.

Lineups & Personnel

Žilina Starting XI

• GK: Jakub Badžoň
• DF: Tobias Pališčák, Ján Minárik, Aleksandre Narimanidze, Timotej Hranica
• MF: Xavier Adang, Miroslav Káčer, Krisztián Bari, František Kóša
• FW: Marko Roginić, Patrik Iľko

HNK Hajduk Split Starting XI

• GK: Toni Silić
• DF: Mathieu Acapandié, Marino Skelin, Alec Van Hoorenbeeck, Šimun Hrgović
• MF: Rokas Pukštas, Adrion Pajaziti, Roko Brajković, Noa Skoko, Dario Melnjak
• FW: Michele Šego

Post-Match Verdict

Žilina’s victory was built less on demonstrable statistical dominance and more on in-game management and psychological resilience. Their wave of second-half substitutions re-energised the press and attacking structure, culminating in Roginić’s equaliser and sustained late pressure that forced Melnjak’s decisive own goal. Hajduk, by contrast, saw an initially controlled, physically assertive display unravel after the break; two yellow cards in the first half underlined their combative approach, and while they tried to adjust with defensive and attacking changes, they were unable to reassert control. In a tie without recorded xG or shot data, the key metric becomes game state: Žilina responded decisively to going 0-1 down, while Hajduk failed to protect a winning position, leaving the Croatian side with significant work to do in the return leg.