FC Koper 1-3 NK Olimpija Ljubljana — NK Olimpija Ljubljana reinforced their title ambitions in the Slovenian 1.Liga with a commanding 3-1 away win over FC Koper on Saturday, September 12, 2026. At the Bonifika Stadium, Olimpija combined patience in possession with ruthless finishing, pulling clear in the second half to claim a result that could matter deeply in the race for the championship.

Match overview

Koper began with energy, looking to disrupt Olimpija’s rhythm through aggressive pressing. But Olimpija remained calm and took the lead in the 21st minute when Raul Florucz found space between the lines and finished with composure. Koper equalised in the 34th minute through a well-struck Andrej Kotnik effort, briefly raising hopes of a home upset.

Olimpija restored their advantage early in the second half. Rui Pedro, increasingly influential after the break, made it 2-1 in the 49th minute with a low drive from the edge of the area. Marko Ristić then put the result beyond doubt in the 76th minute, heading home from a corner to complete a professional away performance.

Key moments

• 21' — Olimpija goal: Raul Florucz opened the scoring with a composed finish inside the box.
• 34' — Koper equaliser: Andrej Kotnik struck from distance to bring the hosts level.
• 49' — Olimpija retake the lead: Rui Pedro found the bottom corner after a flowing move.
• 76' — Olimpija seal the win: Marko Ristić headed in from a corner to make it 3-1.

Tactical story

Olimpija’s 4-3-3 was built on controlling the middle third. Their midfield trio recycled possession well and repeatedly found Florucz and Rui Pedro in dangerous pockets. Koper tried to press man-for-man, but that approach left gaps once Olimpija bypassed the first line. The visitors also dominated set pieces, which produced the third goal.

Defensively, Olimpija were not flawless, but goalkeeper Matevž Vidovšek made two important saves at 1-1 to protect the lead. Koper’s best spells came when they attacked down the flanks, yet their final ball lacked consistency. As the game wore on, Olimpija’s superior squad depth and tactical discipline told.

Standout players

Raul Florucz was a constant menace, opening the scoring and linking play intelligently. Rui Pedro’s second-half performance changed the match, while Marko Ristić delivered a complete defensive and attacking display. For Koper, Andrej Kotnik’s goal was a bright moment, but the home side struggled to contain Olimpija’s runners between the lines.

Season impact

The victory keeps Olimpija firmly in the Slovenian 1.Liga title conversation and sends a warning to their closest rivals. Koper, meanwhile, lose ground in the race for European places and will need to respond quickly. In a league where away wins at difficult venues such as Bonifika often prove decisive, this was a statement result for the visitors.