Beljo's Double Downs Slaven, Dinamo Brings in Kravtsov from Russia

Dinamo's footballers have convincingly started their defense of the Croatian championship title. At the opening of the new SuperSport HNL season at Maksimir on July 31, 2026, they defeated Slaven Belupo 2-0. The hero of the match was Dion Drena Beljo, the league's top scorer from last season, who scored both goals.

Beljo Continues His Scoring Streak

Beljo scored his first goal in the 34th minute, when he acrobatically positioned himself in the penalty area after a cross from Matteo Perez Vinlof and chipped the ball over his marker to give Dinamo the lead and the first goal of the new SHNL season. The second goal was a result of a combination with Luka Stojković in the 52nd minute. Stojković found Beljo's run behind the visitors' last line, and the striker finished precisely into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.

With these goals, Beljo continued his fantastic record since returning to Croatia. In 37 appearances for Dinamo in the SHNL, he has scored a total of 33 goals. He came close to a third goal when he hit the crossbar from long range in stoppage time of the first half.

Kovačević Shuffles the Lineup

Coach Mario Kovačević made as many as eight changes to the starting eleven compared to the second leg against Thun in the Champions League qualifiers. Ivan Filipović stood between the posts, and a completely new defensive four consisted of Paul Bismarck Tabinas, Niko Galešić, Stjepan Radeljić, and Matteo Perez Vinlof. The midfield was held by captain Josip Mišić, Luka Stojković, and Lukas Kačavenda, while Fran Topić and Arber Hoxha were on the wings.

Dinamo had several clear chances during the match. Hoxha missed a sitter in the 17th minute after a good move involving Topić, Beljo, and Kačavenda, and Stojković shot over from eight meters in the 60th minute. Radeljić hit the post with a header in the 58th minute, and Mislav Oršić, who came on in the 75th minute, also hit the woodwork in the 86th minute in his return to Maksimir. The match was attended by 6,331 spectators. For the visitors, Kovačić received a yellow card in the 64th minute, and for Dinamo, Vinlof was booked in the 67th minute. Slaven brought on Dabro and Jonsson for Nestorovski and Adeshina, among others.

Unexpected Reinforcement from Russia

In addition to the victory on the pitch, Dinamo also received a boost off it on the same day. According to Tportal, Kirill Kravtsov, a 24-year-old Russian midfielder who spent the last seasons at Sochi and came through the ranks at Zenit, is arriving in Zagreb for a medical. Kravtsov is a free agent after his contract with Sochi expired at the end of June 2026, for whom he scored 13 goals and provided two assists in 105 appearances.

According to Tportal's information, Kravtsov is expected to sign a four-year contract with Dinamo. His current market value is estimated at 1.2 million euros. The arrival of a player from Russia, given the geopolitical situation and sanctions, represents a somewhat unexpected move by the Zagreb club in its search for reinforcements.