NK Zagorec Krapina Crush NK Maksimir 4-0 in Croatian Second Football League

NK Zagorec Krapina delivered a dominant attacking display to thrash NK Maksimir 4-0 on May 9, 2026, at the ŠRC Krapina Stadium. The comprehensive victory kept Zagorec’s promotion hopes alive, while Maksimir slipped further into the relegation zone in the Croatian Second Football League.

The hosts wasted no time asserting their authority. A fierce strike from Ivan Horvat in the 8th minute gave Zagorec an early lead, and they never took their foot off the pedal. The defense-splitting passes of playmaker Matej Kovač repeatedly unlocked Maksimir’s backline, leading to two more goals before halftime: a tap-in from Marko Babić in the 31st minute and a header from Tomislav Jurić in the 44th minute. At 3-0, the game was effectively over.

The second half saw Zagorec maintain their intensity. They added a fourth goal in the 67th minute when substitute Luka Perić curled a beautiful shot from the edge of the box into the top corner. Maksimir, who managed only one shot on target all match, had no answer to Zagorec’s cohesive pressing and quick transitions.

Key Moments and Tactical Breakdown

• 8' – Ivan Horvat opens the scoring with a powerful shot.
• 31' – Marko Babić doubles the lead from close range.
• 44' – Tomislav Jurić heads home a corner to make it 3-0.
• 67' – Luka Perić scores a stunning solo goal.

Tactically, Zagorec lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, using full-backs to push high and create overloads. Their midfield trio dominated possession and pressed Maksimir into errors. Maksimir attempted to play out from the back but repeatedly lost the ball under pressure, a pattern that led directly to two of the goals.

Standout Performers

Matej Kovač was the orchestrator, completing 89% of his passes and creating three chances. Striker Marko Babić was a constant menace, scoring once and assisting another. For Maksimir, goalkeeper Ante Matić made several saves to prevent an even heavier defeat.

The 4-0 win lifts NK Zagorec Krapina to fourth place in the Croatian Second Football League, now only three points behind the promotion playoff spot. NK Maksimir, meanwhile, remain anchored in 15th place, four points from safety. With six games remaining, their survival chances look increasingly slim.