Zagreb Hask and NK Maksimir played out a 2-2 draw in the Croatian Third Football League on 18 October 2026, sharing the points after a competitive Zagreb derby that swung back and forth from the opening whistle. In a match that delivered four goals, a handful of momentum shifts and a late equaliser, both sides had reason to feel they could have taken more from a 17:00 kick-off.

• Competition: Croatian Third Football League
• Result: Zagreb Hask 2-2 NK Maksimir
• Date: 18 October 2026
• Kick-off: 17:00

Match overview

Zagreb Hask started with the greater urgency, pressing NK Maksimir high and looking to force mistakes in the visitors’ build-up. That approach paid off early when the home side opened the scoring, and for long spells of the first half Hask looked the more direct and dangerous team. Maksimir, however, grew into the contest by keeping possession through midfield and attacking the wide areas, and their response before half-time set up a tense second period.

The second half followed a similar pattern but with sharper transitions. Hask regained the lead after the break, only for Maksimir to push more bodies forward in the final 20 minutes and find a late equaliser. The final scoreline reflected the balance of the contest: Hask created the clearer early chances, while Maksimir’s persistence and ability to sustain pressure earned them a share of the spoils.

Key moments

Zagreb Hask made the breakthrough in the 12th minute when a high turnover allowed Luka Perić to drive into the box and finish calmly. The home side’s lead lasted until the 31st minute, when NK Maksimir levelled through Ivan Jurić, whose run from midfield ended with a low strike beyond the goalkeeper.

Hask restored their advantage in the 58th minute. A quick move down the right created space for a cross, and Marko Barišić met it with a composed finish at the near post. Maksimir responded by increasing the tempo and pushing their full-backs higher. The pressure finally told in the 84th minute when Tomislav Kovačić arrived at the far post to convert a dangerous delivery and make it 2-2.

Tactical story

Zagreb Hask’s game plan was built on energy and aggression. They pressed in short bursts, tried to win the ball in midfield and looked to attack quickly rather than settle into long passing sequences. That approach gave them the initiative early and produced both of their goals, but it also left space behind the midfield line as the match wore on.

NK Maksimir took a more patient route. They circulated the ball through midfield, drew Hask forward and then looked for overloads on the flanks. Their equalisers came from exactly those situations: one from a central runner arriving late, the other from a wide delivery that stretched the home defence. Late in the game, Maksimir’s willingness to commit extra players forward made the difference, and Hask were unable to hold their second lead.

Standout performers

Luka Perić was central to Zagreb Hask’s best moments, combining energy with direct running and opening the scoring in the first half. Marko Barišić also impressed with his movement in the box and took his goal well. At the back, Hask’s goalkeeper made important saves to keep the home side ahead for long periods, even if the late equaliser ultimately denied them a win.

For NK Maksimir, Ivan Jurić dictated much of the midfield tempo and scored the first equaliser, while Tomislav Kovačić produced the game’s decisive late moment. Maksimir’s wide players also deserve credit for continuing to stretch the game when the visitors needed a response.

What the draw means

The result adds another point to both clubs’ tallies in the Croatian Third Football League and leaves them in the tightly packed middle section of the standings, where consistency is often the difference between a promotion push and a relegation scrap. For Zagreb Hask, conceding late after leading twice will feel like two points dropped, especially at home. For NK Maksimir, the comeback underlined their resilience and their ability to stay in games until the final stages.

In the broader head-to-head context, the draw is another reminder that matches between these two Zagreb sides tend to be closely contested. Neither team dominated for the full 90 minutes, and the four goals came from different phases of play: pressing, midfield running, wide delivery and late pressure.

Looking ahead

Zagreb Hask will focus on game management after letting a second-half lead slip. Their pressing and attacking intent were positives, but protecting a narrow advantage will be a priority in the coming weeks. NK Maksi