FK Buducnost Podgorica and Arsenal Tivat produced one of the most entertaining fixtures of the Montenegro First League season as they played out a 3-3 draw at Stadion pod Goricom on 23 October 2026. The home side twice led, Arsenal Tivat twice responded, and a late equaliser ensured both teams took a point from a match that swung repeatedly from end to end.

Match overview

The six-goal thriller underlined why Buducnost remain one of the most watchable sides in the Montenegrin top flight, but it also exposed the defensive fragility that has troubled them in key moments. Arsenal Tivat, known for their compact shape and counter-attacking discipline, showed character to recover from losing positions and were good value for their share of the spoils.

• Competition: Montenegro First League
• Fixture: FK Buducnost Podgorica vs Arsenal Tivat
• Result: 3-3
• Date: 23 October 2026
• Venue: Stadion pod Goricom, Podgorica

Key moments

Buducnost made the brighter start and opened the scoring in the 12th minute when a quick move down the right ended with a low cross converted from close range. The lead lasted only until the 27th minute, when Arsenal Tivat capitalised on a loose ball in midfield and struck back with a crisp finish from the edge of the area.

The hosts restored their advantage four minutes before half-time through a well-worked set-piece routine, but Arsenal refused to fold. They equalised for a second time in the 58th minute after pressing high and forcing a turnover, then stunned the home crowd by taking a 3-2 lead in the 76th minute with a rapid counter-attack.

Just as the match appeared to be slipping away, Buducnost found a response. An 88th-minute equaliser, bundled in after a goalmouth scramble, rescued a point and sent the home supporters into a mixture of relief and frustration.

Tactical story

Buducnost controlled the ball for long spells and looked most dangerous when their wide players isolated the Arsenal full-backs. Their midfield created good openings, but the balance between attack and defence was not always right, and Arsenal repeatedly found space in transition.

Arsenal Tivat sat deeper after conceding but were never passive. Their compact block forced Buducnost into sideways passing, and their willingness to break quickly meant every lost possession carried danger. The tactical battle was clear: Buducnost wanted a controlled, possession-heavy game; Arsenal wanted chaos, turnovers, and direct running. In the end, both approaches produced goals.

Standout players

Buducnost’s attacking midfielders carried the creative burden, with Nikola Vukčević involved in two of his side’s goals and constantly finding pockets between the lines. Stefan Radović was a threat from set pieces and defended bravely late on, while Arsenal Tivat’s forward line caused problems throughout, with Vladan Janković scoring twice and leading the counter-attacks with intelligence.

Season impact

The draw adds another twist to the Montenegro First League standings. Buducnost will feel they dropped two points on home soil, especially after scoring three times, while Arsenal Tivat will take confidence from another resilient away performance. For both sides, the result keeps them firmly in the conversation in the upper half of the table, but the defensive errors on show suggest there is still work to do if either is to sustain a serious challenge over the full campaign.