Austria Vienna took a 3-0 lead, but Hajduk fought back to 2-3. Yet, there was no strength left for a full comeback, and their European journey continues on Saturday.
Hajduk's women's football team suffered a defeat in their historic first appearance in the Champions League qualifiers. In Radenci, Slovenia, near Murska Sobota, the Austrian champions from Vienna won 3-2 in a match full of twists and drama until the final whistle.
The match began in the worst possible way for the Croatian champions. Just 12 seconds into the game, Patricija Pfanner put Austria Vienna ahead. Only three minutes later, Kosovar international Modesta Uka doubled the lead to 2-0, and in the 18th minute, Pfanner struck again, scoring her second goal to make it a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 for the Austrian side.
However, the Hajduk women did not lose heart. In the dying moments of the first half, Janja Čanjevac reduced the deficit and injected new energy into the Split-based team. The second half brought another blow for the Austrians - just two minutes in, Gija Kalaš scored from Čanjevac's assist to make it 2-3 and bring Hajduk right back into the game. Although a full half remained, there was no strength left for an equalizer and a complete turnaround.
Special attention was drawn by the introduction of the most high-profile signing of the year. Coach Damir Matulović brought on Ana Marija Marković in the 63rd minute, marking her debut for the Split club. Although she will have to wait for her first goal, her arrival on the pitch was a significant moment for Croatian women's football.
The competition format means that the defeat in the second qualifying round does not eliminate Hajduk. On Saturday, August 8, 2026, again in Radenci, they will play for third place in their mini-tournament. Their opponent will be the loser of the match between hosts Mura and Romania's Farul Constanta, which takes place today at 6:00 PM. A victory in that match would see them advance to the first qualifying round of the Europa Cup, the women's version of the Europa League, established last season. Only seven champions' tournaments will secure a spot in the next phase of the Champions League.
