NK Varaždin defeated Hajduk 2-1 in the opening round of the Croatian First Football League thanks to a late penalty save by goalkeeper Josip Silić. According to a report by Telegram.hr, Silić stopped a spot-kick from the visitors' captain Marko Livaja in added time to secure all three points for his team.
The match took place on Saturday, August 30, 2026, at the Varteks Stadium. Varaždin held a 2-1 lead from the first half, and Hajduk pushed for an equalizer late on. Referee Patrik Kolarić initially showed a yellow card to Hajduk's striker Bamba for simulation, but after a VAR review, he overturned the decision and awarded a penalty. Silić, however, was up to the task.
How Silić became the match hero
Josip Silić made the decisive play at the critical moment to become the most important player of the match. His 90th-minute penalty save prevented Hajduk from equalizing and brought massive relief to the entire team. After he stopped the shot, celebrations erupted on the pitch and in the stands. This success further confirms Silić's strong form at the start of the season, which you can follow on our stats page.
What this victory means for Varaždin
Three points against one of the title favorites represent an excellent start to the season for NK Varaždin. The win builds confidence within the squad ahead of upcoming challenges. The club currently sits in the upper part of the table, and you can see the exact standings on our standings page. This victory also shows that Varaždin can be a tough opponent for anyone at home. The team will now continue preparations for its next match, the schedule for which can be found in our fixtures list.
How the rest of the match unfolded
Before the dramatic finish, Varaždin managed to score two goals in the first part of the match. Hajduk reduced the deficit in the second half, leading to a tense finale. The controversial penalty incident added to the tension. Referee Kolarić first penalized Bamba, but the video assistant led to a review. Still, Silić showed concentration and saved his team. Besides him, several other players also had a good game, whose performances you can analyze in more detail by reviewing the squad.
This win gives NK Varaždin a great foundation for the rest of the season. The team showed character and the ability to withstand pressure in key moments. The next goal is to continue the run of good results and maintain positive momentum. With the goalkeeper in good form and attacking efficiency, the club enters the next round with plenty of optimism.
