NK Varaždin defeated Rudeš 2-0 in the fifth round of the Croatian First Football League (HNL) to take over the top spot in the table. The home victory came after a missed penalty and a disallowed goal, with decisive strikes from Aleksa Latković and Ivan Canjuga securing the points. The match was reported by the outlet Gol.hr.
How did Varaždin secure the win?
The match was tense and full of twists. NK Varaždin thought they had scored in the 40th minute through Mamić, but referee Crnojević, after a VAR review, disallowed the goal for offside. VAR intervened again in the 61st minute for a foul by Sušak on Tepšić in the box. The referee awarded a penalty, but Ivan Mamut hit the post. The breakthrough finally came in the 72nd minute. Marin provided the assist for Aleksa Latković who found the net with a precise finish. Ivan Canjuga scored the second goal in the 84th minute for the final 2-0 score, with Lovrić attempting the assist.
Rudeš had a chance to pull one back in the 83rd minute with a header from Stolnik, but goalkeeper Silić made an excellent save. This win is particularly important for Varaždin as it follows their first loss of the season to Dinamo in the previous round. Rudeš, on the other hand, arrived in Varaždin with points from their previous match, which ended a streak of three consecutive losses.
Why is this victory so significant?
Beyond the three points, the win over Rudeš returned NK Varaždin to first place in the HNL standings. This was also made possible by the result from Pula, where Dinamo drew 2-2 with Istra 1961. Coach Nikola Šafarić and his players now hold a one-point lead at the summit. This is a strong response after the defeat to Dinamo and a sign of the team's character.
The squad can now focus on the next challenge. As early as September 4, 2026, NK Varaždin will host Istra 1961 at their home ground. Details of upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page. The current squad and player statistics are available in the squad section.
What's next for Varaždin?
The position at the top of the table brings confidence but also added responsibility. The next home match against Istra 1961 will be an opportunity to consolidate that lead. NK Varaždin has good momentum at their stadium and the desire to stay at the top for as long as possible. The current league standings can be followed on our standings page.
The goal is clearly defined after this success. The team must maintain concentration and continue their good form to capitalize on the positive momentum. Every upcoming match will be a test, and the first one is already in sight.
