Article by Daniel Grigore – Published on Thursday, 05 March 2026, 09:13 / Updated on Thursday, 05 March 2026 09:19
In the 90th+18th minute of Rijeka – Hajduk Splitthe visitors were leading 2-1 and preparing for the semi-finals of the Croatian Cup. In just three minutes, the hosts miraculously overturned the fate of the game!
The most spectacular final match in recent times happened in Croatia, in Rijeka, in the quarter-finals of the Cup.
The 3rd place in the championship, Rijeka received the visit of the second place, Hajduk Split.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Sego let it in Pukstas alone with the opposing goalkeeper. The American did not forgive.
Ante Rebic scored for 0-2 in the 40th minute, but the guests' joy was short-lived. The VAR found the Croatian offside, so his goal was cancelled.
At the restart, the hosts equalized in the 57th minute, through a penalty converted by Dantas.
Craziest match finish: Hajduk Split leading 2-1 at Rijeka in '90+18
Frequent interruptions in the second half, including for VAR checks, made ca the game to be extended by 14 minutes.
In the 90th+5th minute, Hajduk scored and seemed to seal qualification. Brajkovic scored from in front of the goal after an uninspired rejection by the home keeper.
Whoever thought the game was over there was sorely mistaken. In the 90th+14th minute, in a late clearance, Raci hit Juric in his own box.
The referee was called to review the phase and awarded a penalty. It was executed 4 minutes after committing the foul, in 90+18. Hajduk's keeper saved Fruk's shot, but the ball ricocheted back to the Croatian, who pushed the ball into the net for 2-2.
Hajduk forced the 3rd goal and misfired badly. They gave the hosts time for another attack, Rijeka caught Hajduk's disorganized defense and scored the winning goal in '90+20. Skelin completely rejected a cross in front of the goal, in the direction of Rukavina, who scored to the delight of about 7,000 home fans!
Dinamo Zagreb and Gorica also qualified for the semi-finals of the Cup. The last “quarter” is Slaven Belupo – Lokomotiva Zagreb.
