NK Varaždin played out a goalless draw against Istra 1961 on Saturday in the sixth round of the SuperSport HNL. According to a match report by 24sata Sport, the home side created more chances, but the points were shared.
How did the match between Varaždin and Istra unfold?
The game, as reported by 24sata Sport, started at a fast pace. Varaždin could have taken an early lead in the sixth minute through a Mamić shot that hit the crossbar. Just three minutes later, Mladenovski headed over from a corner. Istra 1961 responded with a long-range effort from Šepić in the 13th minute that did not trouble the goalkeeper greatly.
The rhythm slowed until the end of the first half, when Istra's goalkeeper Kolić made two good saves. He stopped a Mamić shot in the 35th minute and denied Latković two minutes later. The second half brought more pressure from the hosts. Istra had their best chance on a counter-attack in the 57th minute, but Ahmeti was not accurate. Varaždin continued to attack through Mladenovski and Maglica without success.
Who was key to the drawn result?
The visitors' goalkeeper, Kolić, was one of the main reasons his team earned a point. He came off his line in the 68th minute, but Latković failed to capitalise on the error. Kolić then saved his team again in the 86th minute with a fine stop from Uchegbu's shot. Varaždin's last and best chance came in the 92nd minute when Uchegbu volleyed onto the crossbar. The match ended 0-0.
According to data from TNT Sports, this was the first meeting between the two clubs this season. Varaždin had recorded three wins, one draw, and one loss in their previous five matches. Istra 1961 arrived in Varaždin on the back of two consecutive defeats. The current league standings can be followed on our standings page.
What's next for NK Varaždin?
Following this draw, Varaždin turns its attention to the next challenge. The team travels to face HNK Gorica in an away fixture on Saturday, September 12, 2026. This will be the seventh round of the SuperSport HNL. The full schedule for the season is available on the fixtures page.
Although they could not secure a win against Istra, Varaždin remains competitive near the top of the table. Manager Ivan Prelec will have several days to prepare the squad for the trip to Gorica. The team squad and current player information can be found on the squad page. The match against Gorica kicks off at 5 PM.
