UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round
HNK Rijeka 1 - 2 FT Shelbourne
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
HNK Rijeka
Goalkeepers
M. Zlomislic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
A. Orec
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Majstorovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Radeljic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Devetak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
M. Ndockyt
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Jankovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Gojak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Dantas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
S. Butic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Juric
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
A. Todorovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Kitin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Lasickas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Husic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Menalo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Ilinkovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Yankov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Cop
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Thaqi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Kreilach
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Shelbourne
Goalkeepers
W. Speel
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
M. Mbeng
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. Barrett
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Bone
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Ledwidge
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Norris
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
K. McInroy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Boyd
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Lunney
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
H. Wood
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Odubeko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
L. Healy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Moylan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Gannon
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Temple
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Chapman
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Coyle
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Coote
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Caffrey
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Martin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Kelly
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Moore
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/06/2025 | HNK Rijeka | 1 - 2 | Shelbourne | UEFA Europa League | Stadion HNK Rijeka Dean Šćulac |
08/06/2025
HNK Rijeka Win
Shelbourne Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Shelbourne Execute the Perfect Smash-and-Grab in Croatia
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 57/100. A masterclass in European away-day ruthlessness saw Shelbourne absorb immense pressure before striking twice to turn the tie completely upside down.
One-Way Traffic
Rijeka treated Stadion HNK Rijeka Dean Šćulac to a relentless display of early attacking intent. The hosts dominated possession, hoarding the ball and forcing the Irish side into a deep, desperate block. The Intensity of the Croatian press left Shelbourne chasing shadows for the opening hour. Seven shots on target battered the away defense, yet the breakthrough took its time. When N. Jankovic finally stepped up to convert a penalty in the 56th minute, the home faithful erupted, assuming the floodgates had opened. Instead, that opening goal merely served as the catalyst for an unbelievable sequence of events that nobody inside the ground saw coming.
A Fourteen-Minute Frenzy
If the first act was a slow burn, the second was pure chaos. The Balance of the match shifted instantly. Less than two minutes after falling behind, Shelbourne launched a devastating counter. J. Norris picked out S. Bone, who silenced the home crowd with a clinical finish from the visitors' very first real opening. The sudden equalizer fractured HNK Rijeka's confidence. Suddenly, the deep-lying Irish side smelled blood. As the Croatian outfit poured forward to restore their advantage, they left gaping holes at the back. In the 70th minute, H. Wood slipped a perfect ball through to J. Martin, who buried the chance to complete a stunning turnaround. Three goals in 14 blistering minutes turned the tie entirely on its head.
Ruthless Efficiency
The final twenty minutes devolved into an exercise in frustration for the hosts. Despite holding over two-thirds of the ball, Rijeka could not break down a fortified green wall. The Stakes in this Europa League qualifying round could not be higher, and Shelbourne defended their sudden advantage like their lives depended on it. They finished the match with just two shots on target—and two goals. That is the definition of a clinical European away performance. For Rijeka, the post-mortem will focus on how they lost a match they completely controlled. For the visitors, this monumental Upset secures a vital advantage heading into the second leg.
Key Questions
How did HNK Rijeka complete the comeback from behind?
Actually, Shelbourne completed the comeback. Rijeka took the lead via N. Jankovic's penalty, but quickfire goals from S. Bone and J. Martin secured the visitors' victory.
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.
Gritty Margins Dictate European Survival
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 21/100. With neither side boasting elite firepower, this Europa League qualifier promises to be a tense, low-scoring war of attrition.
The Setup
The atmosphere at Stadion HNK Rijeka Dean Šćulac on August 06, 2025, will be anxious as HNK Rijeka host Shelbourne. In this 3rd Qualifying Round clash, the Stakes are clear: grind out a result to keep the European dream alive. However, a noticeable lack of Stars on both rosters means this tie will be decided by discipline and raw effort rather than individual brilliance. Both sides bring modest Form into the fixture, resulting in a tight Balance that strongly suggests a cagey 90 minutes where caution reigns supreme.
Key Battle
Without standout marquee names to rely on, this match boils down to a classic unit-versus-unit struggle. The home side's midfield engine room must find a way to break down a rigid visiting defensive block that will likely sit deep to absorb pressure and protect the away leg.
Our Take
We expect a gritty, physical encounter where clear-cut chances are extremely rare. A narrow 1-0 victory for the home side seems the most logical outcome in a match defined by risk aversion and tactical pragmatism.