Dinamo Zagreb saw off Varaždin 3-1 in the fourth matchday of the HNL regular season at Maksimir on Saturday evening. The hosts had to withstand a late flurry from the visitors before closing out a result that keeps them within touching distance of the league leaders.
Mladenovski gave Varaždin the lead inside half an hour, and here's the thing — Dinamo's response was measured rather than frantic. Beljo pulled level on the hour, then Galesic doubled the advantage before the break ended. By then the momentum had clearly shifted toward the home side.
Varaždin's late double through Mudrazija at the death turned what could have been a comfortable evening into something more uncomfortable. The visitors had been patient, waiting for their moment, and when they got it they paid for a sloppy opening.
The statistics tell the story of a match Dinamo controlled without dominating. They completed 539 passes to 373, created three big chances against two, and saw 11 shots on target while the goalkeeper made no saves. Many shots with one goal means chances went begging — or in this case, were ruthlessly converted.
Dinamo move to third place on ten points from four games, while Varaždin drop to second after five matches and twelve points. The visitors had been unbeaten in five before Saturday, but this result means they are staring at the drop in terms of the points gap.