Marin Soticek scored to make it 2:0 in a key victory for HNK Hajduk Split over NK Lokomotiva Zagreb in round five of the SuperSport HNL for the 2026/2027 season. The match was played on Saturday, August 31, 2026, at the Poljud Stadium in Split in front of the White Army supporters.
The Split-based club won 2:0, securing three points that placed them fourth in the HNL table with 10 points from five matches played. They currently trail leaders Dinamo Zagreb by three points. Their next challenge is a home fixture against NK Slaven Belupo on September 12.
How did the match at Poljud unfold?
The fifth-round HNL fixture delivered a convincing win for the hosts. HNK Hajduk Split controlled the flow of the game and created several chances before Marin Soticek netted the decisive second goal. The moment after his goal, as the team gathered in joyful celebration, was captured by photographer Zvonimir Barisin for the Pixsell agency. This image was licensed via the Reuters Connect platform and published on www.reutersconnect.com.
The Whites have scored 11 goals so far this season while conceding only 5, giving them a positive goal difference of +6. Their recent league form reads WWWDL. The win over Lokomotiva was crucial for keeping pace at the top, and you can find all information on the upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
What does this win mean for the league position?
Every home win carries significant weight in the title race. The three points taken against Lokomotiva keep Hajduk within touching distance of the leading teams. With 10 points, the Split club sits in fourth place, but just three points behind Dinamo. This kind of start to the season provides a solid foundation for the campaign ahead.
Dropping points at Poljud would have been a serious blow to their ambitions. Instead, the team showed character and capitalized on home advantage. For a detailed look at how all teams are competing, visit our standings page.
What's next for Hajduk in the HNL?
Following this success, focus shifts to the next league encounter. HNK Hajduk Split will host NK Slaven Belupo at Poljud on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Belupo currently sits in 9th place in the table, presenting another opportunity for the Split side to claim full points in front of their own fans.
This is part of a run of matches that will set the tone for the first half of the season. A good result against Belupo could see them close in on the top, especially if rivals slip up. The squad lineup that will face that challenge can be seen on our squad page. The final score of the match against Lokomotiva was 2:0 for the Whites.
