Slaven Belupo 2–3 Zalaegerszegi TE: Late Drama Seals Thrilling Friendly Win for the Visitors

An entertaining International Club Friendly between Slaven Belupo and Zalaegerszegi TE ended with a 3–2 victory for the Hungarian side on 5 July 2026. Played under the lights at 00:30 local time, the match featured end-to-end action, contentious decisions, and a decisive late strike that ensured Zalaegerszegi TE left the pitch with the bragging rights.

Match Overview

Both teams used the friendly to fine-tune their tactics ahead of domestic league seasons. Slaven Belupo started brightly, pressing high, but Zalaegerszegi TE’s disciplined defence and quick breaks gradually shifted momentum. The visitors took an early lead, fell behind early in the second half, before rallying to snatch victory in dramatic fashion.

Key Moments

• 12’ – Zalaegerszegi TE break the deadlock with a well-worked move down the left flank, finished by the striker.
• 28’ – Slaven Belupo equalise from a free-kick that takes a heavy deflection, wrong-footing the goalkeeper.
• 41’ – Slaven Belupo’s captain drives a low shot from the edge of the box to give the home side a 2–1 lead at half-time.
• 56’ – Zalaegerszegi TE fight back with a powerful header from a corner, levelling the score at 2–2.
• 77’ – A controversial moment: Slaven Belupo have a goal ruled out for a marginal offside, sparking frustration among home fans.
• 89’ – Zalaegerszegi TE win it late: a looping cross is met by a substitute, who volleys home from close range to make it 3–2.

Tactical Story

Slaven Belupo tried to dominate possession through midfield triangles, but Zalaegerszegi TE’s compact 4-4-2 shape made penetration difficult. The Croatian side’s full-backs pushed forward aggressively, which left spaces that the visitors exploited on the counter. Zalaegerszegi TE’s set-piece efficiency – both scoring from a corner and creating the late winner from a cross – proved decisive.

Standout Performers

Zalaegerszegi TE’s goalscorers showed composure in front of goal, while their central defensive pairing made several crucial interceptions. For Slaven Belupo, the midfielder who scored the equaliser impressed with his vision and passing range, but defensive lapses ultimately cost the team.

Season Implications

For Zalaegerszegi TE, the win builds confidence ahead of the Hungarian NB I season, demonstrating resilience after falling behind. Slaven Belupo will take positives from their attacking play but will need to address concentration issues late in matches. Friendlies like this provide valuable minutes for squad rotation and tactical experimentation.

The 3–2 scoreline provided a fitting finale for a contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.