May 22, 2022 - The 36th and final round of the Croatian First League was held on May 20 and 21. Dinamo already clinched the title last weekend, though the season ended with the Dinamo-Hajduk derby at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. Here is our HNL round 36 recap.
Istra 1961 v. Slaven Belupo (3:1)
Istra and Belupo opened the 36th round on Friday, May 20, in Pula.
While the first half went without goals, Beljo put Istra ahead in the 48th minute for 1:0. Bande made it 2:0 six minutes later. Balgojevic was shown his second yellow in the 71st minute, forcing Istra to play with a man down for the remainder of the match. Zvonarek made it 2:1 in the 76th minute, but Beljo scored again in the 4th minute of stoppage time for the final 3:1.
Istra ended the season in 9th place with 31 points, while Belupo finished in 7th with 36.
Lokomotiva v. Sibenik (2:1)
Lokomotiva and Sibenik met in Zagreb on Friday, May 20. Kulenovic scored for 1:0 in the 6th minute before Maric made it 2:0 in the 29th. Delic scored for 2:1 in the 41st minute, which was the final score.
Lokomotiva ended the season in 5th place with 49 points, while Sibenik finished in 8th with 32.
Rijeka v. Dragovoljac (1:0)
Rijeka and Dragovoljac met on Saturday, May 21 at Rujevica.
The only goal of the match came in the 2nd minute when Obregon scored for 1:0.
Rijeka ended the season in 4th place with 65 points, while Dragovoljac will be relegated from the First League, finishing last with 19 points.
Gorica v. Osijek (1:1)
Gorica and Osijek met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, May 21.
Jovicic put Gorica ahead in the 30th minute for 1:0 at the half. Bartolec equalized for 1:1 in the 68th which was the final score.
Gorica ended the season in 6th place with 45 points, while Osijek finished in 3rd with 69.
Dinamo v. Hajduk (3:1)
Dinamo and Hajduk closed out the 36th round and the 2021/22 season at Maksimir on Saturday, May 21.
While Dinamo already clinched the title in the previous round, the Eternal Derby between these two clubs is always played for pride. Around 2,000 Hajduk fans were meant to be in attendance, though they remained outside the stadium in protest of a new Makrsimir rule regarding banners.
Petkovic put Dinamo ahead for 1:0 in the 53rd minute. Livaja's goal was called back by VAR in the 68th minute, though he came back to equalize in the 4th minute of stoppage time for 1:1. Dinamo ended up scoring two goals in the final two minutes - with Orsic and Baturina making it 3:1.
Dinamo ended the season in 1st place with 79 points, while Hajduk finished in 2nd with 72.
You can see the full HNL standings HERE.
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