HNK Rijeka beats IF Elfsborg in a thrilling match
Rijeka, Croatia – HNK Rijeka secured a 2-1 victory over IF Elfsborg in a UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match played on Thursday at the Stadion HNK Rijeka. The match was marked by a high number of yellow cards and a red card, as well as two exciting goals.
IF Elfsborg started the match strongly and took the lead in the 23rd minute with a goal from J. Abdullai, assisted by A. Zeneli. However, HNK Rijeka responded with a goal from N. Galesic in the 45th minute, assisted by N. Jankovic, to draw level before halftime.
IF Elfsborg suffered a setback in the second half when J. Abdullai was sent off in the 56th minute, making their task of finding a win more difficult. HNK Rijeka took advantage of their numerical superiority and scored the winning goal in the 80th minute through G. Rukavina.
The match was filled with yellow cards, with 5 for IF Elfsborg and 2 for HNK Rijeka. J. Abdullai of IF Elfsborg received two yellow cards and was sent off in the 56th minute.
HNK Rijeka achieved an important victory on their path to the UEFA Europa League group stage. IF Elfsborg, on the other hand, will need to improve in the return leg to have any chance of qualifying.
Substitutions if elfsborg: at minute 46 P. Frick came in and B. Zeneli went out., at minute 59 J. Thomasen came in and A. F. Baldursson went out., at minute 78 A. Qasem came in and M. Baidoo went out.
Substitutions hnk rijeka: at minute 62 B. Bogojevic came in and M. Cabraja went out., at minute 62 G. Rukavina came in and V. Hodza went out., at minute 73 L. Selahi came in and D. Petrovic went out., at minute 73 S. Butic came in and M. Pasalic went out., at minute 81 A. Majstorovic came in and T. Fruk went out.
The teams lined up as follows:
HNK Rijeka
Titulares:
IF elfsborg
Titulares:
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