OFK Beograd 0-1 Crvena Zvezda: Crvena Zvezda maintained their push near the top of the Serbian Mozzart Bet Superliga with a hard-fought 1-0 away victory over OFK Beograd at the Omladinski stadion on Sunday night. A second-half goal from Cherif Ndiaye settled a match that was far more difficult than the visitors might have expected, with OFK Beograd producing a disciplined defensive display in front of their home supporters.

The result keeps Crvena Zvezda, also widely known as Red Star Belgrade, in the thick of the title race, while OFK Beograd were left to reflect on a valiant effort that ultimately came up just short. The home side sat deep, limited space between the lines, and forced Zvezda to work patiently for openings. For long stretches, the match looked like it might drift toward a surprise goalless draw.

How the match unfolded

Crvena Zvezda dominated possession from the opening whistle, pushing OFK Beograd back into a compact block. The visitors moved the ball from side to side, looking for gaps around the penalty area, but the home side’s back line held firm. OFK Beograd’s goalkeeper was called into action early and produced a confident save to deny a low drive from the edge of the box.

The hosts offered little in attack during the first half, but their counter-attacking approach almost paid off midway through the opening period when a quick break ended with a shot from a narrow angle that flashed across the face of goal. That moment served as a reminder that Zvezda could not afford to commit too many players forward without caution.

The decisive breakthrough arrived in the 63rd minute. Mirko Ivanić found space on the right half-space and clipped a measured ball toward the penalty spot. Cherif Ndiaye timed his run perfectly, got between two defenders, and directed a header beyond the goalkeeper to make it 1-0. It was a goal that reflected Zvezda’s patience and the quality of their delivery in the final third.

• 18th minute: Crvena Zvezda force an early save with a low effort from distance.
• 37th minute: OFK Beograd break quickly but cannot find the final pass.
• 63rd minute: Cherif Ndiaye heads home Mirko Ivanić’s cross to give Zvezda the lead.
• 78th minute: OFK Beograd’s best chance of the night is blocked inside the area.
• 90th minute: Zvezda manage the closing stages professionally to seal the win.

Tactical story: patience against a low block

Crvena Zvezda’s approach was built around control. Their midfield kept the ball moving, while the full-backs pushed high to create width against OFK Beograd’s narrow defensive shape. The visitors’ challenge was to resist the temptation to force passes through crowded central areas, and for much of the night they showed good discipline.

OFK Beograd defended with a deep line and compact midfield, often leaving one striker isolated but ensuring there was little room for Zvezda’s creative players to operate. Their plan was to stay organised, slow the game down, and look for set pieces or counter-attacks. It worked for more than an hour, but the quality of Ivanić’s delivery and Ndiaye’s movement finally broke the resistance.

Standout performers

Ndiaye was the match-winner and the most important attacking presence on the pitch. His header was expertly taken, and his movement in the box gave Zvezda a focal point throughout the second half. Ivanić was equally influential, combining neat link-up play with the decisive assist. For OFK Beograd, the goalkeeper and central defenders deserved credit for keeping the scoreline close, while the midfield worked tirelessly to protect the back line.

What the result means

For Crvena Zvezda, the three points are valuable in the Serbian Mozzart Bet Superliga standings. Winning away from home against a determined opponent is often the mark of a title-challenging side, and this result adds another important away victory to their season. OFK Beograd, meanwhile, can take encouragement from the performance even though they remain in a battle for points lower down the table. The home side showed enough organisation and spirit to suggest they can collect results in less demanding fixtures.

The match may not have been a classic, but it had the tension of a genuine league contest. Zvezda’s ability to turn control into a goal proved the difference, and the visitors left with exactly what they came for.