HNK Hajduk Split
Hajduk Split 2-0 Pafos: Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round
Poljud Stadium erupted as Hajduk Split’s second-half double strike crushed Pafos 2-0 in their Europa League 2nd qualifying round first leg, leaving the Cypriots with a mountain to climb.
Hajduk Split’s Early Aggression
The Croatian giants signalled their intent early, with Adrion Pajaziti earning a fourth-minute yellow card for a crunching tackle that set the tone. Gonzalo Garcia’s men pressed high, their 4-2-3-1 formation squeezing Pafos into mistakes, though the visitors’ three-man defence initially held firm.
Pafos’ Resistance Crumbles
Nikolas Ioannou’s 55th-minute booking for hauling down Rokas Pukštas proved the turning point. Sixty seconds later, Michele Šego pounced on a defensive lapse to rifle Hajduk ahead, sending the 30,000-strong crowd into delirium. Before Pafos could regroup, Dario Melnjak doubled the lead in the 64th minute, meeting Mathieu Acapandié’s cross with a thunderous volley that left Radosław Majecki rooted.
Albert Celades’ Desperate Changes
Pafos manager Albert Celades threw on Pepe and David Goldar immediately, but the damage was done. The Cypriots’ disjointed 3-4-3 offered no threat, managing just two shots on target all night. Hajduk’s backline, marshalled by Dario Marešić, snuffed out every half-chance, with Alec Van Hoorenbeeck’s positioning impeccable.
What This Means
For Hajduk, this was a statement performance – their first European clean sheet this season. Pafos now face mission impossible in next week’s return leg, needing to overturn a two-goal deficit against a side oozing confidence. The Croatian fans’ full-throated rendition of ‘Vrime Je’ at full-time said it all – their European dream lives on.
Key Moments
56′ ⚽ HNK Hajduk Split — M. Sego
64′ ⚽ HNK Hajduk Split — D. Melnjak (assist: M. Acapandie)
