December 20, 2021 - The 20th round of the Croatian First League was held from December 17 to 19, 2021. This round featured a sold-out derby between Hajduk and Osijek at Poljud Stadium, while Dinamo's victory pushed them into first place in the final round before the winter break. Here's our HNL round 20 recap.
Slaven Belupo v. Lokomotiva (2:1)
Belupo and Lokomotiva opened the 20th round in Koprivnica on Friday, December 17, 2021.
Krstanovic scored a penalty in the 2nd minute of stoppage time for 1:0 at the half. Dabro equalized for 1:1 in the 48th minute. Mario Marina put Belupo back in the lead for 2:1 in the 78th minute, which was the final score.
Belupo is currently in 8th place with 19 points, while Lokomotiva is in 6th with 24.
Gorica v. Šibenik (2:3)
Gorica and Šibenik met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, December 18, 2021, in front of 556 fans.
Lovric scored the match's opening goal for 1:0 Gorica in the 12th minute. Jakolis equalized for 1:1 in the 30th. Delic put Šibenik in the lead in the 51st minute, while Stojanovski equalized in the 68th minute. Jakolis scored the winning goal for the final 2:3 Šibenik.
Gorica is currently in 5th place with 29 points, while Šibenik is in 7th with 22.
Rijeka v. Istra 1961 (1:0)
Rijeka and Istra met in the Della Ucka Derby on Saturday, December 18, 2021.
Obregon scored the match's only goal in the 82nd minute for the final 1:0 Rijeka.
Rijeka is currently in 2nd place with 40 points, while Istra is in 9th with 18.
Hr. Dragovoljac v. Dinamo (0:2)
Dragovoljac and Dinamo met in Zagreb on Sunday, December 19, 2021.
Peric scored for 0:1 Dinamo in the 17th minute. Andric increased the lead to 0:2 in the 68th minute for the final score.
Dragovoljac is in the last with 7 points, while Dinamo is in 1st place with 40 points (and one match in hand).
Hajduk v. Osijek (0:0)
Hajduk and Osijek closed out the 20th round on Sunday, December 19, 2021, in front of over 30,000 fans at Poljud Stadium.
While the game ended without goals, Osijek was awarded a penalty in the 13th minute. Bohar scored his first attempt, which the ref discounted and made him. retake. Lovre Kalinić was brilliant in goal with a save on his second attempt to keep the score even.
Osijek coach Bjelica was sent off with a red card in the 70th minute.
Hajduk is currently in 4th place with 35 points (and one match in hand), while Osijek is in 3rd place with 40 points.
You can see the HNL standings HERE.
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