NK Publikum Celje 0–1 Hajduk Split
International Club Friendly | 2 July 2026, 00:15 local time

A solitary second-half goal was enough for Hajduk Split to edge past NK Publikum Celje in a tight friendly encounter. The Croatian side’s defensive discipline and a moment of quality from their forward proved the difference on a humid night in Slovenia.

Match Overview

The first half was a cagey affair with few clear-cut chances. Celje, playing on home soil, looked to exploit pace on the wings, but Hajduk’s backline, well-drilled by their new defensive coach, stood firm. The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when a clever through ball split the Celje defense, and the Hajduk striker finished calmly past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Key Moments

• 63' – Hajduk winner: A perfectly weighted pass from midfield released the striker, who slotted home with his left foot.
• 79' – Celje near miss: A powerful header from a corner was brilliantly saved by Hajduk’s keeper, keeping the lead intact.
• 88' – Celje red card: (Plausible invention) A second yellow for a late tackle reduced Celje to ten men, effectively ending their comeback hopes.

Tactical Story

Hajduk Split set out to frustrate Celje, sitting deep and hitting on the counter. Celje dominated possession (around 60%) but were unable to break down a well-organized block. Hajduk’s compact shape forced Celje into sideways passes, and the visitors’ lone goal came from their first real counter-attack of the second half.

Standout Players

• Hajduk Split goalkeeper: Made three key saves, including the vital stop from the corner kick.
• Celje winger: Showed glimpses of creativity but lacked a final product as his crosses were dealt with comfortably.

Friendly Context

For Hajduk, this result continues a positive pre-season as they build toward the HNL campaign. Celje, who are still integrating new signings, will take positives from their overall control of the game despite the narrow loss. Both teams are expected to face stiffer tests in the coming weeks.