NK Varaždin beat Jablonec to reach Europa Conference League
NK Varaždin beat Czech side Jablonec 3-2 in the first leg of the Europa Conference League second qualifying round on 24 July 2026. The home side held their nerve after falling behind twice to secure a vital away goal before next week’s return in Jablonec.
What happened in the match?
Varaždin took the lead in the 24th minute. Ivan Canjuga delivered a pinpoint cross from inside the box that found Iurii Tavares, who controlled the ball and fired past the visiting goalkeeper Hanuš. Just three minutes later, Jablonec equalised. Martin Cedidla pounced on defensive hesitation to slot home from close range.
The visitors went ahead in the 56th minute. Novak’s corner reached Tekijaški on the far post, and the Czech striker was unmarked to make it 2-1. The hosts fought back and levelled in the 68th minute. Canjuga again played the key pass, and Ivan Mamut headed in from close range to make it 2-2.
Varaždin turned the game around in the 82nd minute. Matej Punčec launched a long ball forward that freed Maglica on the right; his cross found Luka Mamić, who finished clinically to make it 3-2. Canjuga finished the match with two assists and was the standout performer.
Why this win matters for NK Varaždin
This victory is NK Varaždin’s first European outing of the season. Last term the club finished third in the HNL, securing a Conference League spot. Jablonec arrived as the Czech Cup runner-up after Karviná’s title was revoked for match-fixing, so the Czechs took their place instead.
Varaždin now faces the winner of the Latvian RFS versus Icelandic Vestri tie in the next round. RFS won the first leg 4-1 on 17 July 2026.
How the match unfolded
The opening exchanges were cagey. Varaždin’s first real chance came in the 13th minute when Tavares received the ball on the edge of the box, but he had no clear target. Mamić fired wide moments later.
The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute. Canjuga’s cross found Tavares on the far post; the Brazilian striker controlled and slotted past Hanuš. Three minutes later Cedidla capitalised on defensive confusion to level the scores.
Early in the second half Tavares nearly doubled the lead. His left-footed effort from the left channel was saved by Hanuš. After the break Jablonec’s first clear chance fell to Jawo in the 51st minute, but Silić made a crucial save.
Jablonec went ahead in the 56th minute. Novak’s corner reached Tekijaški at the back post, and the striker was unmarked to make it 2-1. Varaždin equalised in the 68th minute. Canjuga’s cross found Mamut, who headed in from close range.
The winner arrived in the 82nd minute. Punčec played a long diagonal to Maglica on the right wing; the forward escaped his marker and crossed for Mamić, who finished to complete the comeback.
