NK Opatija 2-3 Bijelo Brdo: Late Perić Strike Settles Five-Goal Thriller

Bijelo Brdo claimed a dramatic 3-2 away win over NK Opatija in the Croatian First Football League on Friday, 11 September 2026, with Luka Perić scoring a late winner to cap a pulsating contest. Opatija had fought back from two goals down to level the match, but Bijelo Brdo found one final moment of quality to take all three points.

The result is a significant one in the Croatian First Football League standings, giving Bijelo Brdo an important road victory and leaving NK Opatija to reflect on a defensive performance that undid their attacking comeback. The five-goal thriller had tempo, tension and no shortage of tactical intrigue from the first whistle to the last.

Match Overview

Bijelo Brdo started with intent, pressing Opatija’s build-up and forcing errors in the opening quarter. Their reward came early, and when they doubled the lead before half-time, the away side looked in control. Opatija, however, refused to fold. A tactical adjustment at the break pushed their wingers higher and gave them more presence in the box, and the hosts dragged themselves back into the game with two well-worked goals.

Just as the match seemed to be heading for a draw, Bijelo Brdo found a late breakthrough. A quick transition and a composed finish from Perić silenced the home crowd and secured a memorable away win in the Croatian First Football League.

Key Moments

• 12th minute: Bijelo Brdo took the lead when Marko Kovačević arrived late in the box to convert a low cross from the right.
• 34th minute: Ivan Marić doubled the advantage, curling a shot beyond the goalkeeper after a short corner was worked into the area.
• 55th minute: NK Opatija pulled one back through Antonio Šarić, who finished neatly at the near post after a driving run.
• 72nd minute: The comeback was complete when Dario Barišić headed in from a deep cross, sending the home supporters into loud celebration.
• 88th minute: Bijelo Brdo won it late as Luka Perić broke through and slotted a calm finish past the advancing goalkeeper.

Tactical Story

Bijelo Brdo’s game plan was built on aggressive pressing and quick vertical passes. They targeted the space behind Opatija’s full-backs and looked dangerous every time they won the ball in midfield. Their two-goal lead was built on efficiency rather than sustained dominance, but it forced Opatija to chase the game. That chase worked for a while, as Opatija overloaded the wide areas and delivered a stream of crosses.

The decisive tactical detail came late: Opatija pushed numbers forward in search of a winner, leaving gaps at the back. Bijelo Brdo recognized the moment, defended one final attack and launched a counter that ended with Perić’s finish. It was a harsh lesson for the hosts, who had done so much to get back into the match.

Standout Players

Luka Perić was the match-winner for Bijelo Brdo, and his late composure was the difference. Ivan Marić also impressed with his movement and finishing, while Marko Kovačević set the tone with the opening goal. For NK Opatija, Antonio Šarić was the driving force behind the comeback, and Dario Barišić’s header briefly looked like it would earn a point. The Opatija goalkeeper made several important saves, but the defensive line struggled with Bijelo Brdo’s direct running.

Season Impact

For Bijelo Brdo, the three points are a boost in the Croatian First Football League table and proof that their counterattacking approach can deliver on the road. For NK Opatija, the defeat will sting because they showed character to recover from 2-0 down. The challenge now is to tighten up at the back while keeping the attacking momentum that made the second half so compelling. In a league where every point matters, this is the kind of result that can shape confidence for weeks.