Rijeka and Istra 1961 shared the points in a 3:2 draw at the HNL Regular Season stage four fixture on 23 August 2026. The hosts led by two goals after the first half before Istra 1961 fought back to earn a point.
It was an own goal by M. Nasraoui that gave Rijeka the lead at the 18th minute. By then the away side had already felt the pressure. A penalty awarded to Toni Fruk after VAR intervention was converted by Jakov Puljic in the 43rd minute, and T. Fruk added a third just ten minutes later to put the home side in control.
Istra 1961 changed their approach after the break. Hamza Jaganjac pulled one back at the 71st minute before Emil Frederiksen struck twice in stoppage time — once at the 90th minute and again at 90+3 — to set up a tense finish. The visitors never stopped pushing, and their late surge forced Rijeka to dig in for the final minutes.
Rijeka dominated possession at 59 per cent and registered eight shots on target compared to three for the visitors. Istra 1961 created four big chances against three for the hosts, and their goalkeeper made six saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Shots accuracy tilted heavily toward Rijeka at 57 per cent against 27 per cent for the away side.
The result keeps Rijeka in fifth place with seven points from four games, while Istra 1961 remain seventh on five points from five matches. The hosts have extended their unbeaten run to eight across all competitions, though they have not won since their opening day victory.
