Rare phase in football » A Croatian angered his opponents, then decided to intentionally score an own goal

Ashley Davis12/04/2026

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Article by Mihai Șovei – Published on Sunday, April 12, 2026, 1:42 p.m. / Updated on Sunday, April 12, 2026, 1:42 p.m.

In the Croatian second league match between Dubrava and Cibaliatied 2-2, an unusual scene took place. The football player of the home team, Ante Matic, took the ball from the center of the field, started towards the box and sent it into the net of the goal of his own goalkeeper.

This was a gesture of fair play, which only came after a conflict and heated argument on the pitch.

Intentional own goal after a controversial phase

With the score 0-1, towards the end of the first half, a Cibalia player sent the ball out as Matic was complaining of an injury.

After the throw-in, the Cibalia footballers expected the ball to be returned to them, and while they were waiting, the Dubrava players scored a goal, which caused huge criticism and a vehement reaction from the away team's footballers.

In the end, the players from Dubrava corrected their mistake, as Ante Matic, who had scored the controversial goal, decided to score an own goal and cancel the injustice he had done, according to sportal.blic.rs.

VIDEO with phase:

⚽️DUBRAVA – CIBALIA 1:2 – This is what we see every day, Matić didn't return the ball to Vinkovčani, he didn't return the ball, but he was satisfied with his own goal. #hnl #prvahnl #supersportprvahnl #dubrava #cibalia pic.twitter.com/77zJaebaXF

— sportnet.hr (@sportnet_HR) April 11, 2026

Although the guests entered the locker room with a minimal advantage, it was the hosts who struck in the second half, the decisive goal being scored in the 90th+5th minute.

The game ended in a draw, 2-2, but the result does not help either team.

Dubrava is in the middle of the ranking, far from both relegation and promotion, while Cibalia is in 3rd place, 7 points behind the leader Rudes. In the first league, only the team that will finish in 1st place in the second echelon is promoted.