Žilina Overcomes Hajduk Split in UEFA Europa League Qualifier

Žilina 2-1 HNK Hajduk Split at Štadión pod Dubňom in the UEFA Europa League 1st Qualifying Round, as the Slovak side overturned a half-time deficit with a second-half surge capped by a stoppage-time own goal. With no league standings context attached to this qualifier, the significance is purely continental: Žilina take a narrow but valuable lead into the return leg, while Hajduk must recover from a late collapse that turned an away win into defeat.

Match Report

The game’s disciplinary tone was set early. On 20', Šimun Hrgović (HNK Hajduk Split) received a yellow card for tripping, halting a Žilina transition down Hajduk’s left. Ten minutes later, on 30', Alec Van Hoorenbeeck (HNK Hajduk Split) was also shown a yellow card for tripping after stepping in late on a midfield duel, leaving both of Hajduk’s left-side defenders on cautions.

Hajduk made that pressure on the left count right before the interval. On 45+2' HNK Hajduk Split goal — A. Van Hoorenbeeck (assisted by S. Hrgovic). The full-back arrived in the box to finish after Hrgović’s delivery from the flank, giving the Croatian side a 1-0 lead at half-time.

Žilina reacted immediately after the restart. On 46', M. Okal replaced T. Paliscak (Žilina), a like-for-like defensive change aimed at refreshing the back line and offering more balance in wide areas.

The hosts found their equaliser just after the hour’s restart rhythm had been established. On 52' Žilina goal — M. Roginic (assisted by F. Kosa). Roginić finished a move built through the inside channels, with Kóša providing the final pass to level the score at 1-1 and tilt the momentum firmly towards Žilina.

Hajduk sought to regain control in the attacking midfield zone. On 64', D. de Almeida replaced N. Skoko (HNK Hajduk Split), introducing fresh energy between the lines and a different profile in possession.

Žilina then made a double midfield change on 66' to sustain their tempo. On 66', F. Bzdyl replaced M. Kacer (Žilina), adding a more progressive presence in central areas. Also on 66', M. Fasko replaced F. Kosa (Žilina), with the earlier assister withdrawn as Žilina looked for new attacking combinations.

The increased intensity from the hosts brought more duels, and on 67' X. Adang (Žilina) was shown a yellow card for roughing after a robust challenge in midfield.

Žilina continued to rotate their front line. On 72', S. Datko replaced P. Ilko (Žilina), a substitution designed to refresh the forward line and maintain pressing from the front.

Hajduk responded with a double change of their own on 75', targeting both the right flank and central midfield. On 75', A. Sanyang replaced S. Hrgovic (HNK Hajduk Split), removing the earlier booked full-back and adding more attacking thrust on the wing. Also on 75', A. Guram replaced R. Brajkovic (HNK Hajduk Split), adjusting the midfield profile to help Hajduk play out under increasing Žilina pressure.

As legs tired, Žilina altered their central structure again. On 82', A. Florea replaced X. Adang (Žilina), swapping a booked holding midfielder for a fresher option to keep control of the middle third and reduce the risk of a second caution.

Hajduk then changed their focal point in attack. On 84', M. Livaja replaced M. Sego (HNK Hajduk Split), introducing an experienced forward presence to hold the ball up and relieve pressure as Žilina pushed for a winner.

The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time and went Žilina’s way in brutal fashion for the visitors. On 90+1' Žilina goal — D. Melnjak (own goal, unassisted). Under pressure inside his own area, Melnjak diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper, turning a hard-earned draw for Hajduk into a 2-1 lead for Žilina at the death.

There was still time for one final disciplinary note. On 90+2' A. Florea (Žilina) received a yellow card for tripping as Hajduk tried to launch one last attack, but it did not affect the outcome as the hosts saw out the remaining seconds.

Fixture Statistics & Tactical Audit

• xG: Žilina — vs HNK Hajduk Split —
• Possession: Žilina — vs HNK Hajduk Split —
• Shots on Target: Žilina — vs HNK Hajduk Split —
• Goalkeeper Saves: Žilina — vs HNK Hajduk Split —

With no underlying statistical data recorded for xG, possession, or shots, the tactical reading rests entirely on the pattern of events and substitutions. Hajduk’s first-half plan, built on full-back advancement and left-side overloads, was rewarded with Van Hoorenbeeck’s goal. However, the accumulation of yellow cards on that flank forced a more conservative second-half approach. Žilina’s wave of substitutions after the break — particularly the changes around 66' and 82' — injected fresh legs and greater verticality in midfield, pinning Hajduk deeper. The late own goal reflected the territorial pressure Žilina built in the closing stages, even if the decisive strike came from a defensive error rather than a crafted chance.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

This tie is part of the UEFA Europa League 1st Qualifying Round and not linked to a traditional league table in the data provided, so there are no updated points, goals for, goals against, or goal difference to report in a domestic standings context. The practical impact is straightforward: Žilina carry a one-goal advantage into the second leg, while Hajduk must overturn a 2-1 deficit at home, knowing an away goal conceded in stoppage time has significantly altered the balance of the tie.

Lineups & Personnel

Žilina Starting XI

• GK: Jakub Badžgoň
• DF: Tobias Pališčák, Ján Minárik, Aleksandre Narimanidze, Timotej Hranica
• MF: Xavier Adang, Miroslav Káčer, Krisztián Bari, František Kóša
• FW: Marko Roginić, Patrik Iľko

HNK Hajduk Split Starting XI

• GK: Toni Silić
• DF: Mathieu Acapandié, Marino Skelin, Alec Van Hoorenbeeck, Šimun Hrgović
• MF: Rokas Pukštas, Adrion Pajaziti, Roko Brajković, Noa Skoko, Dario Melnjak
• FW: Michele Šego

Post-Match Verdict

This was a contest defined more by tactical shifts and discipline than by clear statistical dominance, as no shot or possession figures were recorded. Žilina’s second-half was tactically superior in terms of game management, with five substitutions reshaping their midfield and forward lines to maintain intensity and territorial pressure, culminating in the decisive 90+1' own goal. Hajduk’s performance, by contrast, was vulnerable in game control (two first-half yellow cards on their left side and a late defensive error) after a solid, structured opening 45 minutes. Over the two legs, Hajduk will need to translate their early control into sustained attacking threat, while Žilina can be satisfied with how their bench and in-game adjustments turned a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 first-leg advantage.