End of the European Journey: Vitória Triumphs Again in the Return Leg

HŠK Zrinjski has concluded their European campaign for this season.

For the third consecutive season, we reached the play-offs, but unfortunately, could not progress further. The Portuguese club Vitória SC won again in the return leg, deservedly securing a spot in the UEFA Conference League.

After a heavy defeat in Guimarães (0:3), Vitória was also convincing in Mostar, this time winning 4:0.

The coaching staff was unable to count on several players in tonight’s match, making the quest for a surprise even more difficult. Unlike the match in Portugal, where the start of the second half was crucial for us, this time it was the end of the first half that proved decisive.

Vitória took the lead in the 32nd minute when the English referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review, which Manuel Silva confidently converted. Nuno Santos doubled the visitors’ lead in the 42nd minute, and Nélson Oliveira added a third in stoppage time of the first half.

Mario Ivanković made a triple substitution at halftime, leaving Hrvoje Barišić, Frano Mlinar, and Tomislav Kiš in the locker room, with Slobodan Jakovljević, Marko Kozina, and Besart Abdurahimi coming on. However, we were unable to score a goal to soften the defeat.

Vitória, on the other hand, scored their fourth goal in the 71st minute with a fine strike from Gustavo Da Silva Cunha.

32′ |  0:1 – Silva (11m)

42′ |  0:2 – Santos

45′ |  0:3 – Oliveira

71′ |  0:4 – Cunha

HŠK Zrinjski: Marić, Memija, Šunjić, Barišić (46. Jakovljević), Mamić, Savić, Mlinar (46. Kozina), Kiš (46. Abdurahimi), Malekinušić, Ćuže (80. Prskalo), Mulahusejnović (69. Topić).

Vitória SC: Varela, Alberto, Borevković, Villanueva,  Mendes (46. Saraiva), Handel (60. Carlos), Silva, Santos,  Cesar (60. Cunha),  Mangas (71. Miguel),  Oliveira (60. Ramirez)