HNK GORICA - NK SLAVEN BELUPO 3:5 (Perić 21', Vrzić 25', Stevanović 45'+5'/Nestorovski 17', 65' pen., Mitrović 35', Banovec 41', Caimacov 90'+4')
HNK GORICA: Josipović – Filipović, Stevanović, Perić (70' Braut) – Bogojević (70' Kardum), Pavičić, Lacoux (70' Pranjić), Cvijanović - Vrzić (84' Mijić), Kavelj (80' Čustović), Brodić
NK SLAVEN BELUPO: Čović – Krušelj, Kovačić, Mersinaj, Jakir (84' Urata) – Bosak, Crepulja (82' Caimacov) – Mitrović, Dabro (69' Bošnjak), Banovec – Nestorovski
Slaven Belupo produced an outstanding attacking performance to defeat Gorica 5–3 at the Gradski Stadium in Velika Gorica, completing a remarkable encounter featuring eight goals, multiple changes of momentum, VAR decisions and a late dismissal. The visitors demonstrated greater efficiency in the decisive moments, with experienced striker Ilija Nestorovski leading the way through two important goals.
The result was particularly valuable for Slaven Belupo, who entered the encounter looking to return to winning ways and improve their position in the Croatian championship. Silvijo Čabraja's team showed determination after surrendering an early advantage, recovering from a 2–1 deficit before eventually securing victory through a second-half penalty and a stoppage-time goal from substitute Mihail Caimacov.
For Gorica, the defeat represented another painful chapter in a disappointing campaign. The home side showed attacking promise and scored three times before the interval, but recurring defensive errors prevented them from converting that performance into a positive result. Having previously suffered a heavy 5–0 defeat against Hajduk Split, Mario Carević's players again conceded too easily, leaving them with just seven points from 13 league matches.
The outcome placed further pressure on Gorica's coaching staff and raised serious questions about the team's ability to recover from its difficult start to the season.
Six-Goal First Half Delivers Extraordinary Drama
The encounter began with both teams showing attacking ambition, although Slaven Belupo were the first to capitalise on a defensive mistake. In the 17th minute, Filip Krušelj delivered a cross from the right flank towards Ilija Nestorovski. Gorica goalkeeper Renato Josipović misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing the experienced striker to direct a header into the net from close range.
The early goal put additional pressure on Gorica, who desperately needed points in their battle to move away from the bottom of the table. However, the home side responded immediately and equalised just four minutes later. Luka Vrzić delivered the ball into the penalty area, where Fran Brodić helped keep the move alive before Stefan Perić struck a low right-footed effort into the corner to make it 1–1.
Gorica completed a remarkable turnaround in the 25th minute. Slaven Belupo failed to clear the ball effectively, allowing Vrzić to collect possession and advance towards goal. The young attacker demonstrated impressive composure, finishing past Ivan Čović to give the hosts a 2–1 advantage.
At that stage, the match appeared to be moving in Gorica's favour. Carević's players had recovered from conceding early and established a lead in front of their home supporters. However, their defensive problems quickly returned as Slaven Belupo began creating opportunities through direct attacking movements and quicker combinations.
The visitors restored parity in the 35th minute when Marko Dabro found Josip Mitrović in space inside the penalty area. Gorica's defenders failed to track the midfielder's movement, and Mitrović finished confidently from close range to bring the score level at 2–2.
Slaven Belupo continued pressing and moved ahead again six minutes later. Nestorovski delivered the ball from the left towards Lovro Banovec, who finished from the right side of the penalty area. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR review confirmed that the move was legal, allowing the visitors to celebrate a 3–2 advantage.
The first-half drama was still not finished. Deep into stoppage time, Ivan Cvijanović delivered a dangerous free kick into the Slaven penalty area, where Dušan Stevanović rose to score with a header. His equaliser made it 3–3 and provided a remarkable conclusion to a half in which both teams had repeatedly gained and surrendered momentum.
The six-goal opening period highlighted the attacking strengths of both sides but also exposed significant defensive weaknesses. For neutral spectators, the constant changes on the scoreboard made the encounter especially entertaining. For both coaches, however, the lack of defensive stability offered considerable cause for concern.
Nestorovski's Penalty Gives Slaven the Advantage
After such an extraordinary first half, the second period began at a more controlled tempo. Both teams attempted to improve their defensive organisation, recognising that another mistake could prove decisive in an encounter where neither side had demonstrated much security at the back.
Slaven Belupo gradually established greater attacking pressure, with Banovec continuing to cause problems through his movement and ability to receive possession in dangerous areas. Gorica attempted to respond through Brodić and their wide players, but the visitors appeared more composed during important passages of play.
The decisive breakthrough came after a challenge involving Bruno Bogojević and Banovec inside the home penalty area. Following an intervention from VAR, referee Patrik Pavlešić reviewed the incident and awarded Slaven Belupo a penalty.
Nestorovski stepped forward and converted in the 65th minute, scoring his second goal of the afternoon and restoring the visitors' advantage at 4–3. The experienced striker demonstrated the composure expected of a player with extensive international and club experience, delivering when his team needed him most.
The penalty changed the dynamics of the match. Gorica were forced to chase the result once again, while Slaven Belupo could adopt a more measured approach and search for opportunities to exploit the spaces left by the hosts.
Carević responded with substitutions, introducing fresh players in an attempt to strengthen the attack and regain control. However, despite creating several promising situations, Gorica struggled to reproduce the efficiency they had shown during the opening half.
One of their best opportunities arrived in the 79th minute when Jakov Filipović connected with a header following a corner. Čović reacted impressively to prevent an equaliser, producing a save that proved important in protecting Slaven Belupo's narrow advantage.
Late Red Card Fails to Stop Slaven Belupo
The final stages brought another dramatic development when Slaven Belupo defender Dominik Kovačić received a second yellow card in the 89th minute. His challenge on Jakov Filipović left the visitors with ten men and gave Gorica a numerical advantage as they searched for another equaliser.
With seven minutes of additional time indicated, the hosts pushed players forward and attempted to put sustained pressure on Slaven Belupo's defence. However, Čabraja's team remained organised, blocking several attempts and preventing Gorica from creating the clear opportunity they needed.
Rather than simply defending their one-goal advantage, Slaven Belupo continued looking for opportunities on the counterattack. Josip Mitrović initially missed a promising chance to extend the lead, but the visitors soon created another opening.
Deep into stoppage time, Mitrović helped launch a well-organised attacking movement that ended with Banovec delivering the ball into the six-yard area. Substitute Mihail Caimacov reacted quickly and finished from close range to make it 5–3, sealing an extraordinary victory despite his team being a player short.
The late goal provided a fitting conclusion to a match defined by attacking football and repeated changes of momentum. While Slaven Belupo's defensive performance was far from flawless, their ability to respond after setbacks and produce decisive goals ultimately separated the teams.
Nestorovski and Banovec Lead Slaven Belupo
Ilija Nestorovski's two goals were central to Slaven Belupo's success. The experienced North Macedonian striker opened the scoring with a well-timed header before converting the decisive second-half penalty. His movement, positioning and composure gave the visitors an important attacking presence throughout the encounter.
However, the victory was also shaped by an impressive contribution from Lovro Banovec. The midfielder scored Slaven Belupo's third goal, was involved in the incident that produced the penalty and provided the final pass for Caimacov's stoppage-time strike. His creativity and willingness to attack space repeatedly troubled Gorica's defenders.
Josip Mitrović also played an influential role, combining his first-half equaliser with several dangerous attacking movements. The visitors' ability to create opportunities through different players made them particularly difficult to contain, especially when Gorica attempted to push forward.
Statistically, Slaven Belupo were the more threatening team despite enjoying less possession. The visitors registered 15 shots compared with Gorica's 13, including eight on target against the home side's four. Their attacking efficiency proved decisive, reflecting an ability to turn promising situations into goals.
Gorica's attacking performance offered some encouragement, particularly through Vrzić, Perić and Stevanović. However, conceding five times at home underlined the team's defensive difficulties. The hosts were particularly vulnerable when Slaven Belupo moved quickly into attacking areas, while individual errors repeatedly undermined their attempts to control the match.
Gorica Part Ways With Mario Carević After Defeat
The consequences of the match extended beyond the final score. Following Gorica's latest defeat, the club and head coach Mario Carević ended their association, bringing his tenure to a close after slightly more than two years.
Carević, 44, had taken charge in October 2024 and managed the team in 83 competitive matches, including 76 league fixtures and seven Croatian Cup encounters. His previous campaigns ended with Gorica in the lower half of the standings, but the current season proved significantly more difficult.
The defeat against Slaven Belupo followed a 5–0 loss to Hajduk, meaning Gorica conceded ten goals in two consecutive league fixtures. That sequence contributed to the decision to make a managerial change during the November international break.
At the time of Carević's departure, Gorica had collected only seven points from 13 matches, recording just one victory and sitting four points behind ninth-placed Lokomotiva. The club now face the challenge of identifying a replacement capable of restoring defensive stability and improving results.
Dino Skender, who has been coaching Mladost Ždralovi, has been mentioned in Croatian media as a possible successor. However, no appointment was confirmed in the reports reviewed.
For Gorica, the change presents an opportunity to reassess their tactical approach and strengthen a squad that has been affected by injuries and inconsistent performances. The international break provides a short period in which to introduce new ideas before domestic competition resumes.
Slaven Belupo Strengthen Their League Position
The victory moved Slaven Belupo to 16 points from 13 league matches, leaving Čabraja's team in seventh place at the conclusion of the round. The three points were especially valuable because the club remain involved in a competitive section of the table where relatively small differences separate several teams.
For Slaven Belupo, the attacking display demonstrated the squad's ability to create and convert opportunities away from home. However, conceding three goals in the opening half also exposed weaknesses that will require attention against stronger opponents.
Čabraja will be encouraged by the performance of Nestorovski, Banovec and Mitrović, while Caimacov's late goal illustrated the value of having substitutes capable of influencing matches during decisive moments.
Gorica, meanwhile, remain at the bottom of the standings. Their difficulties are not confined to one department of the team. Defensive mistakes have contributed to heavy defeats, while even an encouraging three-goal attacking performance against Slaven Belupo proved insufficient to secure a point.
The contrasting outcomes highlight the importance of efficiency and organisation in a tightly contested Croatian championship. Slaven Belupo successfully converted opportunities when they mattered most, while Gorica repeatedly allowed promising situations to slip away.
An Unforgettable HNL Encounter With Major Consequences
The eight-goal thriller in Velika Gorica will be remembered as one of the most dramatic matches of the season. From Nestorovski's opening header and Gorica's rapid comeback to Banovec's VAR-confirmed goal, a six-goal first half and the decisive second-half penalty, the encounter delivered almost every element of an entertaining football match.
Yet the consequences were very different for the two clubs. Slaven Belupo celebrated an important away victory that improved their league position and restored confidence, while Gorica suffered another damaging result that was followed by the departure of their head coach.
The match also demonstrated how quickly momentum can change when both teams struggle defensively. Gorica led 2–1 and equalised again at 3–3, but Slaven Belupo showed greater composure during the second half and eventually secured victory even after being reduced to ten players.
Slaven Belupo's 5–3 victory over Gorica was an extraordinary display of attacking football, determination and clinical finishing. Nestorovski's double, Banovec's creativity and Caimacov's late goal secured three vital points for the visitors. For Gorica, however, the eight-goal spectacle ended in disappointment and a managerial change, leaving the club facing a difficult battle to recover from its position at the bottom of the Croatian league.
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