Mathieu Acapandie scored a late winner in the 86th minute to give HNK Hajduk Split a 1-0 victory over NK Varaždin on Sunday. The three points keep Hajduk at the top of the HNL table, one point clear of Varaždin, with a total of 19 points from nine matches played.
The match was tense and goalless until the final stages. Hajduk dominated possession (64%) and had 18 shots, but Varaždin goalkeeper Silić made five saves. The visitors' defence was stubborn, and Hajduk's only clear chance before the goal came in the 58th minute when Tomislav Duvnjak was booked for a foul on Andelo Šutalo. Manager Gonzalo García immediately responded by introducing Abdoulie Sanyang, who provided the assist for Acapandie's strike from outside the box four minutes from time.
How the match unfolded
The first half passed without major chances, although Hajduk controlled the ball. The first yellow card was shown to Dario Marešić in the 33rd minute. Varaždin had their first serious attempt only in the second half, but Silić saved comfortably. After a series of substitutions from both sides, including the introduction of Simun Hrgoić for Dario Melnjak, the game opened up. Hajduk increased the pressure and finally broke through in the closing stages. This victory extends the team's run to three consecutive wins in all competitions.
What this win means for the table
This narrow win keeps Hajduk in first place in the HNL with 19 points, one more than second-placed Varaždin. The team has won four and lost one of its last five league matches, scoring 18 and conceding 9 goals in total this season. The team's top scorer this season is Michele Šego with four goals in nine appearances.
Hajduk now turns its attention to European duties. The next match is on Thursday, 22 October, in the UEFA Europa Conference League against FC Thun in Switzerland. After that, on Saturday 24 October, comes an away HNL fixture against Istra 1961, who currently sit in sixth place.
Manager Gonzalo García praised the victory over Varaždin as a sign of the team's maturity. "The win showed we have different solutions," said Garcia. Following this win, Hajduk remained top of the HNL with 22 points, three ahead of Dinamo. The club has won four of its last five league matches.
The club confirmed that Mathieu Acapandie's goal against Varazdin was his first for Hajduk. "This was Acapandie's first goal for Hajduk," the club said. The right-back arrived last summer. The win kept Hajduk top of the HNL with 22 points from 10 games, three clear of Dinamo.
Manager Gonzalo García explained the unusual start to the match against Varazdin. "It was a tactical decision for a high press," said Garcia. Hajduk deliberately kicked the ball out from the centre circle to immediately create a chance to win possession in the opponent's half. The club leads the HNL with 22 points and a three-point advantage over Dinamo.
Former Nantes coach Vahid Halilhodžić expressed surprise at Mathieu Acapandie's move to Hajduk. 'Well, it surprises me because he is a young and very promising player,' Halilhodžić told Index. He praised his physical attributes and speed. Hajduk leads the HNL with 22 points, three ahead of Dinamo.
