Šego’s Double and Almena’s Spark Power Hajduk to Commanding Victory in Pula, Tighten Grip on HNL’s Top Spots
On a brisk autumn evening at Stadion Aldo Drosina, HNK Hajduk Split delivered a performance laced with both clinical precision and relentless intent, dispatching Istra 1961 by a 3-0 margin that felt, at times, emphatic enough to echo far beyond the Adriatic coast. For Istra, a club seeking stability in the crowded mid-table, the result cast a long shadow over their recent run of resilience. For Hajduk, it was affirmation—of ambition, of quality, and of their place among the HNL elite as the league’s second act unfolds.
Not two months ago, Hajduk narrowly edged Istra in Split, a 2-1 struggle that required dogged persistence in the dying minutes. Tonight, the script was rewritten in bold type. From the opening whistle, Hajduk’s intentions were clear: press high, move fast, and trust the technique that has propelled them into the league’s upper echelon.
It took just 22 minutes for the first breakthrough. Iker Almena, dynamic and inventive as ever, found the sliver of space that separates the possible from the spectacular. Latching onto a looping through ball, he faced the challenge with a deft first touch that drew both defenders and expectation. His finish—low and measured, beyond the outstretched gloves of Istra’s keeper—started the scoreboard ticking and set the match’s tone. The visitors, buoyed by Almena’s artistry, never looked back.
Istra, to their credit, fought to regain composure. Their recent form had suggested a side capable of withstanding pressure: unbeaten in three, including a gritty 1-0 home win against Varazdin and a goalless draw at Rijeka, they fashioned moments of intent but found Hajduk’s back line unyielding. The midfield battle was fierce, and for half an hour, the hosts refused to fold.
Yet as halftime approached, Hajduk flexed anew. Michele Šego, whose movement had troubled defenders all evening, carved open Istra in the 42nd minute. Sprinting into a pocket of space at the edge of the box, he received a clever pass, took a deft touch, and rifled a shot into the far corner. The goal, his first of the night, arrived like a cold wind, puncturing Istra’s resolve and giving Hajduk a cushion that allowed for control and calculation.
With the second half underway, Istra sought urgency. Their attacks, orchestrated in part by Stjepan Lončar—the hero of two weeks prior—lacked the incision required to unlock Hajduk’s guard. The green-and-yellow faithful, vocal throughout, willed their side forward, but opportunities arrived as flickers, not flames.
As the match wore on, Hajduk’s advantage became suffocating. The 77th minute saw Šego strike again. This time, he capitalized on a defensive lapse, gathering a loose ball in the area and dispatching it cleanly into the net. The brace underlined his growing influence, not just as a finisher but as a player whose presence demands adaptation from any opponent.
No red cards marred the contest; it was, in its flow, a test of tactical stamina rather than raw emotion. Hajduk’s discipline, evident in their seamless transitions and measured possession, kept Istra at bay and allowed the visitors to dictate both tempo and territory.
Tonight’s outcome sends ripples through the HNL table. Hajduk’s sixth win in nine—now on 19 points, just shy of top spot—augments their credentials as serious title contenders. For Istra, it is a halt in momentum: still sixth with 12 points, their record now balanced at three wins, three draws, and three defeats. Managerial questions and squad depth will sharpen in focus as the season’s midpoint nears.
Recent weeks had hinted at an Istra side capable of upward mobility, with victories over Osijek and a cup advance at Neretva Metković. Yet the inability to crack Hajduk’s code, especially at home, raises familiar challenges. Their defensive structure, disciplined in tighter matches, unraveled at moments tonight, and the search for consistent attacking edge will grow more urgent.
Hajduk, meanwhile, continue to string together results with metronomic regularity. Wins over Vukovar and Lokomotiva Zagreb, punctuated by a comprehensive cup triumph at Koprivnica, suggest a squad converging on full stride. Setbacks against Dinamo Zagreb and Varazdin seem already relegated to hard-learned lessons as their attack, spearheaded by the likes of Almena and Šego, finds sharper form.
The teams’ head-to-head history, now favoring Hajduk with consecutive victories, hints at an emerging gulf—one not easily closed with incremental tweaks. Istra must recalibrate, lest the season’s ambitions slip into mid-table anonymity. Hajduk, by contrast, sharpen their pursuit of silverware with every calculated win, their trajectory demanding attention from rivals and analysts alike.
As the HNL’s autumn arc reaches its apex, tonight’s match in Pula may be remembered not only for its scoreline but for the statement it delivered. Hajduk Split, resourceful and ruthless, have thrown down the gauntlet; Istra 1961, brave but bested, must now rise to the challenge that remains. The road ahead—long, uncertain, and lined with pivotal clashes—will test the mettle of both. But for now, in the glow of a three-goal triumph, it is Hajduk who march forward, their ambitions undimmed, their purpose reaffirmed.