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Varaždin beats Hajduk Split 2-1 in season‑opening HNL match
NK Varaždin defeated Hajduk Split 2‑1 in the first round of the 2026 SuperSport HNL. Goals for Varaždin came from Mario Mladenovski (53') and Luka Mamić (62'), while Rokas Pukštas scored for Hajduk (56'). In the final minutes, Marko Livaja earned a penalty, but goalkeeper Josip Silić saved the spot‑kick, preserving Varaždin’s three points.
Coach Gonzalo García criticised his side’s slow start and said the team performed better after halftime, but lamented the missed opportunities. Former Hajduk player Luka Vučko and pundits Samir Toplak and Valentina Miletić highlighted the team’s lack of balance and low energy. The match also sparked a Torcida protest over ticket prices and stadium conditions, with supporters posting photos of damaged seats. Canadian midfielder Niko Sigur was held out of the lineup for precautionary reasons. Former first‑division referee Goran Tenžera criticised referee Patrik Kolarić’s decisions, especially the handling of a penalty claim and several yellow‑card incidents.
Entities
Croatian Football Federation · Gonzalo García · HNK Hajduk Split · HNK Hajduk Split · Hajduk Split · Hajduk Split (football club) · Josip Silić · Luka Mamić · Mario Mladenovski · Marko Livaja · Marko Livija · NK Varaždin
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [DISPUTED] Josip Silić saved a penalty taken by Marko Livaja in the 90th minute. centralna.ba · gol.dnevnik.hr · www.telegram.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Coach Gonzalo García criticised his team’s first‑half performance, player fatigue and injuries, and defended his rotation choices. www.dalmacijadanas.hr · dalmatinskiportal.hr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Samir Toplak and Valentina Miletić said Hajduk lacks respect and suffers from squad imbalance. www.tportal.hr · www.jutarnji.hr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Varaždin’s goals were scored by Mario Mladenovski (53') and Luka Mamić (62'). centralna.ba · gol.dnevnik.hr · www.telegram.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Torcida set fire to a section of the Varaždin tribune after the match. teleskop.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Rokas Pukštas scored Hajduk’s only goal. centralna.ba · gol.dnevnik.hr
- [DISPUTED] Marko Livaja missed the penalty. centralna.ba · gol.dnevnik.hr · www.telegram.hr
- [● 12 SOURCES] Varaždin defeated Hajduk Split 2-1 in the first round of the SuperSport HNL. centralna.ba · gol.dnevnik.hr · www.tportal.hr · www.jutarnji.hr · www.dalmacijadanas.hr · +2 more