NK Varaždin lost 3:1 to Dinamo in the 4th round of the SuperSport HNL at Maksimir on 22 August 2024. Although they led through a Mario Mladenovski goal, the hosts turned the game around in the second half with goals from Dion Drena Beljo, Niko Galešić, and Robert Mudražija.
The report was carried by the portal gnkdinamo.hr. NK Varaždin's next fixture is against Istra 1961 at home on 4 September 2026, which you can follow on our fixtures page.
How did Varaždin lose their lead?
NK Varaždin surprised everyone in the 28th minute. Ivan Canjuga assisted Mario Mladenovski who opened the scoring. It was a reward for a good first half from the visitors. As early as the 7th minute, Ivan Mamut broke through the defence, but Dinamo's goalkeeper Ivan Nevistić saved. Iuri Tavares also created a chance for Mamut who missed. On the other end, Josip Mišić fired from 25 meters in the 26th minute, and Josip Silić saved. Coach Nikola Šafarić had a well-prepared team that was dangerous on the counter.
Dinamo reacted after the break. In the 56th minute, Matteo Perez Vinlöf and Marko Valinčić came on. Perez Vinlöf assisted the equalizer with his first touch. Stjepan Radeljić sent a long ball to Perez Vinlöf, who crossed for Beljo to score in the 57th minute. After that, Perez Vinlöf drove towards goal himself, but Silić intervened. Arbër Hoxha also missed from 18 meters.
Why was Beljo decisive?
Dion Drena Beljo didn't just score the equalizing goal. He was the creator of the victory with two assists. After scoring, in the 68th minute he provided a short pass to Niko Galešić. Galešić scored with a heel in a spectacular move. That was Beljo's second assist of the match.
Dinamo's coach Mario Kovačević substituted Hoxha and Zajc in the 73rd minute, bringing on Mislav Oršić and Robert Mudražija. Beljo remained dangerous. In the 90th minute, Fran Topić passed to him, and Mudražija hit the post. However, the third goal was not far away.
How did Mudražija score his first goal?
Robert Mudražija celebrated his first goal for Dinamo in the 93rd minute. The move started with him. He passed to Oršić, who passed back to Beljo, and he found Mudražija again. Mudražija shot, Silić got a touch, but couldn't prevent the goal. The report states that "Oršić... 'left Mudražija in the scorers' column' by shielding the ball." That made it 3:1.
For NK Varaždin, Antonio Marina was replaced by Luka Duvnjak in the 60th minute. Although they played disciplined football and led, they couldn't maintain their advantage against a stronger opponent in the second half. The match referee was Duje Strukan from Split, and attendance was 6,750.
This match is in the past, but NK Varaždin is already preparing for future challenges. The current squad and statistics can be seen on our squad page and stats page. The focus is now on the next home match against Istra 1961.
