NK Krka and NK Svoboda Ljubljana served up a five-goal thriller in the Slovenian 2. Liga, with the visitors edging a dramatic contest 3-2. The result gave Svoboda a crucial boost in their push towards the upper half of the table, while Krka were left to rue missed chances in a wide-open encounter at the Krka Sports Park.

Match overview

Svoboda struck first inside ten minutes when winger Marko Zupan converted a swift counter-attack, but Krka levelled before the half-hour mark through a powerful strike from Luka Lesjak. The visitors regained the lead just before half-time when midfielder Andraž Kirm headed in from a corner, making it 2-1 at the break.

Krka came out strongly after the restart and were rewarded when Filip Kramar slotted home a penalty in the 58th minute. With the game finely poised, Svoboda captain Nejc Pečnik produced the decisive moment, drifting onto a loose ball inside the box and firing low into the corner with ten minutes remaining.

Key moments

• 12’ – 0-1: Zupan finishes a quick break with a composed left-footed shot.
• 28’ – 1-1: Lesjak cuts inside and scores from 20 yards.
• 44’ – 1-2: Kirm rises highest from a corner to restore the lead.
• 58’ – 2-2: Kramar sends the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
• 80’ – 2-3: Pečnik’s opportunistic finish wins the game.

Standout players

Svoboda’s Pečnik was the difference-maker, scoring the winner and orchestrating much of his side’s forward play. For Krka, Lesjak was a constant threat on the left wing, while Kramar’s movement kept the visitors’ backline honest throughout.

Table implications

The victory moved Svoboda up to sixth in the 2. Liga standings, keeping their slim promotion playoff hopes alive. Krka, meanwhile, slipped to ninth and will need to tighten a defence that has now conceded 11 goals in their last five matches if they are to climb back into contention.