UEFA Europa League Qualifying Round 1
Žilina 2 - 1 FT HNK Hajduk Split
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Futmetrix Verdict
62
Ratchaburi
vs
Kashiwa Reysol
Tue, Oct 27 • 12:15 UTC
⚡ Form
61
⚖️ Balance
64
🏆 Stakes
50
⭐ Stars
55
Points are urgent; goals already flow
Match Events
Šimun Hrgović 21'
Alec Van Hoorenbeeck 30'
A. Van Hoorenbeeck (S. Hrgovic) 45'
Alec Van Hoorenbeeck 45'+3
HT
46' ↓ T. Paliscak ↑M. Okal
52' M. Roginic (F. Kosa)
54' Marko Roginić
↓ N. Skoko ↑D. de Almeida 64'
66' ↓ F. Kosa ↑M. Fasko
66' ↓ M. Kacer ↑F. Bzdyl
67' Xavier Adang
72' ↓ P. Ilko ↑S. Datko
↓ S. Hrgovic ↑A. Sanyang 75'
↓ R. Brajkovic ↑A. Guram 75'
82' ↓ X. Adang ↑A. Florea
↓ M. Sego ↑M. Livaja 84'
90' D. Melnjak
90'+2 Andrei Florea
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Žilina
Goalkeepers
J. Badzgon
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Tobias Paliscak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Minarik
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Narimanidze
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Hranica
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
X. Adang
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Kacer
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Bari
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Kosa
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
M. Roginic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. Ilko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
T. Tarcsi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Sipos
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Okal
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Svoboda
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Kasa
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. Baleja
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Florea
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Bzdyl
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Datko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Petruska
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Fasko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Prokop
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
HNK Hajduk Split
Goalkeepers
T. Silic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
Mathieu Acapandié
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Skelin
👻 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
N. Skoko
👻 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. Gabric
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Raci
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Maresic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Hodak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Sanyang
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. de Almeida
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Brruti
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. del Moral
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Guram
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Livaja
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Žilina
HNK Hajduk Split
Žilina
HNK Hajduk Split
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Žilina Defy the Odds to Shock Hajduk Split
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 40/100. Our verdict: An unexpected home triumph in Slovakia flips the qualifying script and leaves the Croatian giants teetering on the edge of early elimination.
Establishing the Rhythm
The atmosphere at Štadión pod Dubňom crackled with European tension right from kickoff. Žilina entered this first-leg clash facing massive Stakes against a heavily favoured HNK Hajduk Split side. The visiting Croatians sought to assert their authority immediately, testing the waters with early vertical pressure. However, the Slovak outfit refused to be intimidated on their home turf. They edged possession with 53 percent of the ball, dictating a methodical rhythm that frustrated their opponents. Marko Livaja attempted to spearhead the visiting forward line and spark moments of danger, but the home side maintained absolute defensive discipline. This was a tactical chess match masking a physical brawl, with both teams sizing each other up. The Intensity was palpable as robust challenges flew in, forcing the referee to work hard to keep tempers from boiling over.
The Efficiency Pivot
The match hinged on a bizarre but brilliant display of offensive opportunism and defensive resilience. Hajduk actually looked far more threatening in open play, unleashing a barrage of attempts that repeatedly tested the goalkeeper. Yet, they found themselves stymied by a heroic performance between the sticks, with the home side producing four crucial saves to keep the Croatian onslaught at bay. On the other end, Žilina's attacking output was bafflingly efficient. Despite recording just one official shot on target during the entire contest, they somehow found the back of the net twice—capitalising on defensive chaos or massive deflections. Mário Sauer and his teammates celebrated wildly as their sheer determination forced the visitors into fatal errors. The Upset factor surged as the favoured visitors realised their usual attacking patterns were repeatedly hitting a yellow-and-green brick wall.
A Famous Resolution
The final whistle confirmed a famous 2-1 victory, sparking chaotic celebrations in the stands. This perfect Balance of grit and opportunism gives the underdogs a vital advantage heading into the crucial second leg. Hajduk Split will return to Croatia nursing a bruised ego and a desperate need to recalibrate their final-third execution. They maintained decent accuracy on their attempts but ultimately lacked the decisive killer instinct required for European knockout progression. For the hosts, this result validates their tactical blueprint—absorbing pressure and striking with venomous intent when it mattered most. They have successfully shifted all the pressure onto their heavily favoured opponents, setting the stage for a mouth-watering return fixture where the Croatian giants must find answers rapidly.
Key Questions
What was the final score of the match?
Žilina secured a 2-1 victory over HNK Hajduk Split at Štadión pod Dubňom.
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 Slow Start to the Continental Campaign
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 28/100. An early qualifying tie lacking both star power and momentum makes this one strictly for the die-hards.
The Setup
On July 16, 2026, the Štadión pod Dubňom opens its doors as Žilina face HNK Hajduk Split in the UEFA Europa League 1st Qualifying Round. The overarching narrative here is simple survival and progression. Our pre-match data highlights a modest Stakes rating, completely expected for these opening rounds where survival outweighs spectacle. Neither side boasts high Form or marquee Stars, pointing toward a gritty, rather than glamorous, affair. Hajduk arrive as slight favourites on paper, but early-season rust often levels the playing field in these tense, two-legged ties.
Key Battle
Without established superstars dominating the pitch, this match will be decided in the midfield trenches. Žilina's central unit must aggressively disrupt Hajduk Split's attempts to control possession. If the visitors manage to dictate the tempo and find their rhythm, their overall squad depth should eventually grind down the hosts. It is a classic clash of defensive discipline going up against a methodical, cautious attacking build-up.
Our Prediction
We expect a tight, low-scoring encounter. Hajduk Split will likely edge possession and territory, but an outright victory might prove elusive in Slovakia. A cagey 1-1 draw leaves everything to play for in the return leg.