MSK Zilina 2 – 1 Hajduk Split | UEFA Europa League Qualifying First Round | 17 July 2026

MSK Zilina kicked off their 2026/27 UEFA Europa League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Croatian side Hajduk Split at Štadión pod Dubňom. The Slovakian outfit took an early two-goal lead inside the opening quarter-hour, then weathered a spirited second‑half fightback from Hajduk to secure a slender advantage ahead of the return leg in Split.

Match Overview

Zilina entered the tie as underdogs against a Hajduk side with rich European pedigree, but the home side’s aggressive pressing and quick transitions caught the visitors cold. A goal inside the first five minutes set the tone, and by the 15th minute the Slovak champions held a commanding 2‑0 lead. Hajduk rallied after the break, pulled one back through a well‑worked set‑piece, but could not find an equaliser despite dominating possession in the final half‑hour. The result means Zilina take a one‑goal cushion to Poljud Stadium for the second leg.

Key Moments

• 4′ – Goal! MSK Zilina 1‑0: Left‑back Milan Kral surged forward and exchanged a neat one‑two with winger Lukáš Čmelík before drilling a low shot past Hajduk goalkeeper Ivan Perić from the edge of the box. The home fans erupted as the ball nestled inside the far post.
• 14′ – Goal! MSK Zilina 2‑0: A corner kick caused chaos in the Hajduk area. The ball fell to centre‑back Tomáš Hubočan, who swept a half‑volley through a crowd of bodies. Perić got a hand to it but could not keep it out.
• 58′ – Goal! Hajduk Split 2‑1: Hajduk’s pressure finally told. A free‑kick from the right was met by towering defender Stipe Radić, who powered a header into the bottom corner, giving Zilina goalkeeper Dominik Holec no chance.
• 72′ – Red card? A penalty shout for Hajduk after a clumsy challenge in the box was waved away by referee Andreas Ekberg, much to the visitors’ fury. Replays showed minimal contact.

Tactical Story

Zilina head coach Jaroslav Kentoš set his side up in a compact 4‑2‑3‑1, instructing his wingers to drop deep and spring counters. The early goals came from that very approach: Kral’s overlapping run and Hubočan’s arrival from deep highlighted how Hajduk’s midfield failed to track runners in the opening 15 minutes.

Hajduk manager Gennaro Gattuso switched from a 4‑3‑3 to a more aggressive 4‑2‑4 after the break, pushing full‑backs high and flooding Zilina’s box with crosses. The change worked – Radić’s goal came from a second‑phase set‑piece – but Hajduk lacked the final pass to unlock a stubborn Zilina defence that dropped into a low block. The hosts, content to protect their lead, created few chances after the interval but did enough to see out the result.

Standout Players

• Milan Kral (Zilina): The left‑back was a constant threat down the flank, scoring the opener and providing an outlet throughout. His defensive discipline in the second half was equally impressive.
• Lukáš Čmelík (Zilina): The winger’s pace and dribbling won several fouls and set‑pieces. He assisted the first goal and caused panic whenever he carried the ball at Hajduk’s defence.
• Stipe Radić (Hajduk Split): The centre‑back scored the crucial away goal and was a rock at the back, winning nine aerial duels. His leadership will be vital in the return leg.

Season & Table Impact

This first‑leg victory gives Zilina a real chance of progressing to the second qualifying round, where either Dinamo Minsk or Fola Esch await. Hajduk, meanwhile, must win by at least two goals at home or by a 2‑1 margin (which would send the tie to extra time) to avoid an early exit from the Europa League. The Croatian side’s away goal could prove decisive – if Zilina lose 1‑0 in Split, Hajduk would advance on aggregate. With everything still to play for, the second leg at Poljud promises fireworks.