Rijeka produced a comprehensive victory over Vrbovec in the Cup Round of 32, winning 6-0 on 16 September 2026. The result sent the visitors through to the next stage with authority to spare. Vrbovec's evening ended before they could establish any rhythm, and the visitors made no mistake after taking the lead.
It began badly for the hosts with a red card for O. Dansou in the sixth minute. By then Rijeka had already made their intentions clear. J. Puljic converted the resulting penalty in the seventh minute, and the visitors were simply better from the outset. A. Barco doubled the advantage with a goal in the thirteenth minute, and the game was effectively over by halftime.
M. Mohebi added a third in the twenty-fourth minute, and J. Puljic completed his brace with a second goal in the thirty-second minute. The visitors had cut them open at will throughout the first half. Vrbovec had nothing to do all evening after the dismissal, and the statistics told the story. Rijeka controlled 71 per cent of possession and generated 129 attacks compared to the hosts' 51.
N. Jankovic scored in the sixty-second minute, and A. Juric added a sixth goal in the seventy-ninth minute. Rijeka registered 19 shots on target to Vrbovec's 2, and the margin of victory reflected the gulf in quality. The hosts managed just 0.29 possession and failed to win a single corner. By the final whistle, the visitors had played with a confidence that Vrbovec could not match at any point.
The statistics painted a one-sided picture. Rijeka produced 129 attacks against 51, won 11 corners to zero, and had 19 shots on target compared to the hosts' 2. Vrbovec's single red card meant they spent the majority of the match with ten men, but even without that disadvantage the result would not have been different. The visitors' attacking output was simply too much for a side that managed just two shots on target.
Rijeka advance convincingly while Vrbovec's Cup campaign ends with six goals against them. The hosts' recent results show a side that has struggled for consistency, and this performance confirms those concerns. Rijeka remain a force in domestic competition, and this result puts them in a strong position going forward.