Mamut's Double Downs Rijeka, Varaždin Shares Top Spot with Osijek
Two goals from Ivan Mamut secured Varaždin's third consecutive win and a leap to the top of the HNL table, where they now share first place with Osijek.
Two goals from Ivan Mamut secured Varaždin's third consecutive win and a leap to the top of the HNL table, where they now share first place with Osijek.
Varaždin's footballers secured their third win of the new HNL season. On home turf, they defeated Rijeka 2:0 (2:0), with Ivan Mamut playing the key role by scoring both goals.
The first goal came in the 20th minute. Mamut played a long ball to Tavares on the left flank, then made his way into the box, where he headed the cross from his Cape Verdean teammate into the net from five meters out, past goalkeeper Todorović.
Eleven minutes later, Varaždin doubled their lead. The ball struck Rukavina's hand in the penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot, and Mamut calmly slotted the ball low past Todorović, who was close to making the save.
The visitors' best chance in the first half came in the 40th minute. Mamut blocked a shot from Adu-Adjei, and then Janković missed the target from 16 meters. In the second half, Rijeka failed to seriously threaten the hosts.
Between the 59th and 61st minutes, Varaždin threatened through Latković, Mamut, and Mamić, but their efforts were not accurate enough. Rijeka came closest to scoring in the 66th and 74th minutes, but Silić denied Janković's attempt, while Puljić's shot hit the post.
In the 60th minute, a big chance for Varaždin: Canjuga cut inside and shot with his left foot from inside the box, but Todorović made a brilliant save. Mamut couldn't get to the rebound to score. Two minutes later, Tavares skillfully dribbled down the left and pulled the ball back for Mamić, but his shot from the edge of the box went over the bar. In the 74th minute, Rijeka almost reduced the deficit, but Puljić's powerful effort from the left struck the right post. In the 86th minute, Čubelić unleashed a fierce shot, but it sailed over the goal.
With this victory, Varaždin drew level with Osijek at the top of the standings, both clubs having a perfect nine points. Rijeka sits in sixth place with three points and a game in hand.
