UEFA Europa League Qualifying Round 2
HNK Hajduk Split 2 - 0 FT Pafos
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Corners
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
4' Adrion Pajaziti
HT
Nikolas Ioannou 55'
56' M. Sego
↓ D. Goldar ↑Bruno 63'
↓ Pepe ↑A. Brito 63'
Alexandre Brito 64'
64' D. Melnjak (M. Acapandie)
↓ V. Dragomir ↑D. Quina 74'
↓ I. Sunjic ↑Guga 74'
77' ↓ M. Sego ↑M. Livaja
77' ↓ D. de Almeida ↑A. del Moral
77' ↓ D. Maresic ↑M. Skelin
83' ↓ D. Melnjak ↑A. Guram
87' Adam Huram
88' Alberto del Moral
90'+2 ↓ S. Hrgovic ↑R. Raci
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
HNK Hajduk Split
Goalkeepers
T. Silic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Mathieu Acapandié
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Maresic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Van Hoorenbeeck
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Hrgovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Melnjak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
R. Pukstas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Pajaziti
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Brajkovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. de Almeida
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
M. Sego
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
I. Ivusic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Stipica
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Raci
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Skelin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Hodak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Sanyang
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Sutalo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Brruti
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. del Moral
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Guram
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Skoko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Livaja
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pafos
Goalkeepers
Radosław Majecki
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
David Goldar
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
David Luiz
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Samy Mmaee
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Ioannou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
Jajá
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Pêpê
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ivan Šunjić
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Vlad Dragomir
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
Lele
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Biel
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
M. Papastylianou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Petros Petrou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Bruno Felipe
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Kais
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Ioannou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Domingos Quina
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ken Sema
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Michael
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Brito
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Guga
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Mammadov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
C. Evzona
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/23/2026 | HNK Hajduk Split | 2 - 0 | Pafos | UEFA Europa League | Stadion Poljud |
07/23/2026
HNK Hajduk Split Win
Pafos Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
HNK Hajduk Split
Pafos
HNK Hajduk Split
Pafos
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Hajduk Split Secure Crucial Advantage Over Pafos
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 33/100. A pragmatic 2-0 victory for the Croatian side puts them firmly in the driving seat of this European tie despite a resilient away performance.
A Tactical Tug-of-War
The raucous atmosphere at Stadion Poljud immediately reminded everyone of the weight these qualifiers carry. The Stakes were unmistakably high as knockout continental football returned to the historic venue. From the outset, neither HNK Hajduk Split nor Pafos managed to dominate possession, sharing the ball exactly evenly through the opening exchanges. The visitors surprised the local crowd by launching 135 total attacks over the ninety minutes, pressing the Croatian hosts deeper than expected. Yet, the Balance of the tie rested on defensive solidity. Hajduk absorbed the pressure meticulously, relying on their resolute backline to weather the early storm. Pafos found themselves repeatedly frustrated, registering ten attempts but struggling to pierce the rearguard. It was a gritty, unyielding start that set the tone for a match defined by marginal gains rather than sweeping, expansive football.
The Set-Piece Squeeze
As the match wore on, the Intensity shifted heavily toward dead-ball situations. The tactical stalemate broke down into a physical battle inside the penalty areas. A staggering 15 total corners—eight for the hosts and seven for the Cypriot challengers—turned the contest into a set-piece slugfest. Hajduk Split capitalised on this chaotic aerial combat. The home side's delivery into the box tested the Pafos defence relentlessly, eventually cracking their resolve. While the visitors produced 21 free kicks in their attempts to mount a comeback, they lacked the clinical edge required in European qualifiers. It was in these bruising, congested moments around the six-yard box that the home side carved out their pivotal two-goal cushion, proving far more ruthless when the ball was airborne.
Managing the Clock
Entering the final phases, Pafos desperately chased a lifeline to take back to Cyprus. They forced four crucial saves from the Hajduk goalkeeper, who stood tall to deny any late drama. The visitors threw caution to the wind, but the Upset Factor dwindled as the Croatian outfit managed the game with seasoned European maturity. With three yellow cards collected, Hajduk showed they were willing to sacrifice flair for a precious clean sheet. The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory, leaving the Cypriot side with a mountainous task in the return leg. This second qualifying round clash demonstrated exactly what knockout football demands: absorbing pressure, dominating the pivotal set-piece moments, and finishing the job when it matters most.
Key Questions
How did HNK Hajduk Split secure their victory?
They absorbed heavy pressure from Pafos, who created 135 attacks, and capitalised on set-piece opportunities during a fiercely contested second qualifying round clash.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
A Cypriot Ambush in Split?
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 18/100. An early-season qualifying slog that lacks star power but offers genuine giant-killing potential.
The Setup
HNK Hajduk Split enter this UEFA Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round tie as the heavy favourites. However, a modest Form rating suggests they are vulnerable on July 23, 2026. The visitors, Pafos, travel to Stadion Poljud with absolutely nothing to lose. The Stakes are massive for both clubs' continental ambitions, but the overall lack of elite quality keeps our expectations firmly in check. A low Stars rating means this will not be a glamour tie. Expect a gritty, physical battle for progression rather than a footballing spectacle.
Key Battle
The crucial fight happens in the middle of the park. The home side's midfield engine must disrupt the supply line to L. Dimata. Meanwhile, Pêpê Rodrigues and V. Dragomir will try to dictate the tempo and spring counter-attacks for the visitors. A poor Balance score hints at a disjointed tactical flow. If the Cypriot midfield takes control of the transition moments, the upset is definitely on.
Our Prediction
Our verdict leans toward a scrappy draw. Hajduk have the historical pedigree, but Pafos have the motivation and lack of pressure. Expect the visitors to sit deep in a low block, absorb pressure, and snatch a late equaliser on the counter-attack to set up a tense second leg.