Crvena Zvezda claimed bragging rights in the first Eternal Derby of the new Serbian Mozzart Bet Superliga campaign, edging out fierce rivals Partizan Belgrade 2-1 in front of a raucous atmosphere inside the Rajko Mitić Stadium. The result extended Zvezda’s early-season momentum and underlined their credentials as the team to beat in the 2026/27 title race, while Partizan were left to rue missed chances in a contest defined by intensity, momentum swings, and clinical finishing at key moments.

Derby arrives with the season already crackling

Even by the standards of Serbian football’s most storied fixture, this meeting carried extra weight. Both sides had begun the league season with strong ambitions, and with just a handful of matchdays played, the derby already felt like a potential turning point in the standings. Zvezda’s home support created a wall of noise, but Partizan arrived with a clear game plan: press high, disrupt Zvezda’s rhythm, and leave the Marakana with at least a point.

The opening exchanges were understandably cagey, with neither side willing to concede control in midfield. Partizan enjoyed spells of possession and looked compact out of possession, but it was Zvezda who drew first blood just before the half-hour mark. A sharp counter-attack caught the Partizan defence too high, and the home side’s clinical finish gave the keeper no chance from close range. The goal settled Zvezda and momentarily silenced the travelling support, but the response was quick.

Partizan respond, Zvezda strike the decisive blow

Partizan’s equaliser arrived shortly after the interval and was a product of patient build-up play. After winning the ball in the final third, the guests worked it wide before a well-timed cross was met with a firm header inside the box. It was a deserved reward for their improved tempo and set the stage for a frantic final half-hour.

Yet just as the match appeared to be drifting toward a tense second consecutive draw between the rivals, Zvezda found another gear. A clever set-piece routine was only half-cleared, and the follow-up strike from the edge of the area took a slight deflection on its way into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans. Partizan pushed forward in search of another equaliser in the closing stages, but Zvezda’s defensive block held firm under sustained pressure.

Key moments that decided the derby

• 26' – Zvezda break the deadlock: A fast transition catches Partizan’s back line out of shape, and the home side finish coolly from inside the box.
• 58' – Partizan level: Patient possession play ends with a well-directed header, forcing Zvezda to respond again.
• 76' – Decisive Zvezda goal: A scrappy set-piece falls kindly on the edge of the area, and a struck effort with a deflection finds the bottom corner.
• 89' – Late Partizan surge: The away side throws bodies forward, but Zvezda goalkeeper makes a vital late save to secure the three points.

What the result means in the Superliga standings

The victory moves Crvena Zvezda onto a strong points total early in the season and sends a clear message to the chasing pack. For Partizan, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, particularly having matched their rivals for long stretches. Yet, with the Mozzart Bet Superliga season still in its early phase, both clubs will know that the title race is rarely decided by one derby result. The two sides will continue to battle at the top, but for now, the red and white half of Belgrade has every reason to celebrate.

Derby days in Serbian football are rarely about style points. This one was fiery, competitive, and decided by fine margins. After 90 minutes, Crvena Zvezda stood tallest with a deserved 2-1 win over their neighbours — a result that felt as significant in the stands as it does in the league table.