Kisvárda FC Edges Diósgyőri VTK in Tactical Battle at Várkert Stadium

By the narrowest of margins and through moments of resilience, Kisvárda FC secured a 1-0 victory over Diósgyőri VTK on Sunday evening in Várkert Stadium, notching a pivotal win in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I regular season. It was a match marked by careful tactics, selective aggression and ultimately resolved by a decisive second-half strike from Jasmin Mešanović.
The visitors from Diósgyőr arrived as slight favorites, fielding a 4-1-4-1 formation under Vladimir Radenkovič and dominating possession with 58 percent. Their control, however, rarely translated into sustained goal threat, as Kisvárda’s disciplined defensive structure absorbed pressure and forced the game into the tight spaces of midfield.
The first half unfolded with chances at a premium. Kisvárda’s front line pressed aggressively in transition, but Diósgyőri, led by holding midfielder Alex Vallejo, kept their shape and shuffled the ball across the back, searching for openings that rarely materialized. In the 19th minute, Mešanović received the match’s first caution after a clumsy challenge broke up Diósgyőri’s possession just outside the box—a sign of the home side’s willingness to disrupt the flow in key moments.
Kisvárda’s own rhythm faltered early with an enforced substitution as István Soltész, the team’s central midfielder, was replaced in the 14th minute—an unexpected adjustment that required tactical reshuffling. Nonetheless, the hosts remained compact, limiting space for Diósgyőri’s attacking quartet of Sajbán, Acolatse, Holdampf and Roguljić.
Despite Diósgyőri’s territorial supremacy—they completed 298 passes at 80 percent accuracy and won five corners—clear chances were elusive. The only shot on target for the visitors was comfortably handled by Illya Popovics, Kisvárda’s goalkeeper, whose evening was defined more by anticipation than activity.
The match hinged decisively in the 54th minute. With Kisvárda probing on the counter, a precise cross from Marko Matanović split the Diósgyőri defense. Mešanović, having evaded his marker, met the delivery at the edge of the six-yard box and swept the ball beyond Karlo Sentić. It was Kisvárda’s third shot on target of the night and the only moment either keeper was truly tested. The goal lifted the home crowd and forced Diósgyőri from containment into urgency.
Coach Radenkovič responded with a triple substitution just past the hour mark, introducing fresh legs in Sajbán, Holdampf and Roguljić. For Kisvárda, Gerliczki countered with his own changes, shoring up the midfield and rotating his strikers as the minutes ticked by. The evening’s only other notable disciplinary moment arrived deep in stoppage time, as F. Pinter collected a yellow for time management—emblematic of Kisvárda’s determined effort to close out the result.
Statistically, the performance will frustrate Diósgyőri. Their dominance in possession and territorial play yielded just four total shots, with Kisvárda’s defense standing resolute and limiting attempts to low-percentage efforts from distance. Offsides—five in total—further stymied Diósgyőri’s flow, a testament to Kisvárda’s disciplined back three, marshaled ably by Bernardo Matić and Martin Chlumecký.
Kisvárda, for their part, capitalized with efficiency. While generating only six shots, their transitions were incisive and direct, often bypassing Diósgyőri’s midfield block to find Mešanović or strike partner Soma Novothny in space. Branimir Cipetić and Bence Bíró provided width but rarely ventured far forward as the lead was protected.
With this result, Kisvárda climbs further toward the upper reaches of the table—a vital three points earned through defensive grit and singular quality in front of goal. For Diósgyőri, questions will be asked about their attacking sharpness despite the statistical advantage, and how better to convert territorial dominance into meaningful opportunities in future fixtures.
The narrow win sets the stage for a tightly contested autumn in NB I, with Kisvárda displaying the kind of rugged efficiency that often defines season outcomes. As the teams left the field, one goal—and one clinical moment—stood as the difference.