In a thrilling start to the UEFA Europa League season, Croatian champions GNK dinamo Zagreb kicked off their campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Turkish giants Fenerbahce Istanbul. The match, held at the iconic Maksimir Stadium, delivered an entertaining spectacle that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The decisive goals for Dinamo Zagreb came from a brace by former Rapid Vienna standout Dion Beljo (21st and 50th minutes), with Monsef Bakrar sealing the win in stoppage time (90+5′). Fenerbahce managed a brief equalizer thru Sebastian Szymanski (25th minute), but it wasn’t enough to overcome the home side’s dominance. This crucial win propels Mario Kovacevic’s squad to the top of their group, while Fenerbahce finds themselves in a challenging early position.
Beljo Steals the Show in European Opener
The game began with a balanced exchange of possession, but Dinamo Zagreb was the first to break the deadlock. In the 21st minute, Dion Beljo showcased his clinical finishing, putting the croatian champions ahead. This lead, however, was short-lived. Just four minutes later, Fenerbahce responded emphatically. Sebastian Szymanski, after a well-crafted assist from Milan Skriniar, leveled the score at 1-1 in the 25th minute.The remainder of the first half was an open affair,with both teams creating chances,but neither could find a breakthrough before the halftime whistle.
Following the break, Dinamo Zagreb came out with renewed vigor. Their strong start paid dividends in the 50th minute when Dion Beljo completed his brace, tapping in a precise pass from Arber Hoxha to restore the lead. Despite enjoying more possession (55%), Fenerbahce struggled to penetrate Dinamo’s well-organized defense, reminiscent of how a disciplined NFL defense can shut down an opponent’s aerial attack.
Austrian international Dejan Ljubicic, a familiar name to some European football followers, attempted to extend Dinamo’s lead with two shots on goal (66th and 71st minutes) before being substituted in the 75th minute. As the clock wound down, Fenerbahce pushed forward in search of an equalizer, throwing caution to the wind.However, Dinamo’s defense held firm, and in a swift counter-attack, substitute Monsef Bakrar secured the 3-1 victory with a well-taken goal in the dying moments of the match, assisted by Sandro Kulenovic. This clinical finish was the equivalent of a buzzer-beater in basketball, sealing a memorable win.
Other Europa League Results: Roma and Braga Secure Victories
In other Europa League action, AS Roma secured a hard-fought 2-1 away win against OGC Nice. The Italian giants took a commanding 2-0 lead thanks to a quickfire double from Evan Ndicka (52nd minute) and Gianluca Mancini (55th minute). Terem Moffi managed to pull one back for Nice from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, but it wasn’t enough to salvage a point.
Simultaneously occurring, Real Betis and Nottingham Forest played out an exciting 2-2 draw. In another fixture, Sporting Braga emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win over Feyenoord, despite the absence of their injured player Gernot Trauner.
