NK Radomlje avoided a Slovenia Cup upset with a narrow 1-0 away win over NK Podvinci on 24 October 2026. A second-half goal settled a tense, tightly contested cup tie and sent the higher-ranked visitors into the next round, leaving Podvinci to rue a spirited performance that fell just short.

Match overview

Cup football often produces surprises, and Podvinci approached this tie with nothing to lose. The hosts sat deep in a compact 4-5-1 shape, looking to deny Radomlje space in central areas and threaten on the counter. Radomlje, as expected, controlled the ball, but their early possession was sterile — plenty of sideways passing without genuine penetration.

The first half was punctuated by fouls and stoppages, with Podvinci’s physical approach disrupting Radomlje’s rhythm. The visitors’ best chance before the break came from a free-kick that was headed narrowly wide, while Podvinci forced a smart save from a rare breakaway. At half-time, the tie was finely balanced.

Key moments

The breakthrough arrived in the 54th minute. Radomlje worked the ball patiently down the left before a low cross was only half-cleared. The ball fell to Luka Cerar on the edge of the box, and the midfielder drilled a low effort through a crowd of bodies and into the corner. It was the kind of goal that rewarded persistence more than flair.

Podvinci responded well. They pushed their wing-backs higher and began to deliver crosses into the box, forcing Radomlje to defend with increasing desperation. A late header from a corner flashed just wide, and in stoppage time a goalmouth scramble ended with the ball hacked clear. Radomlje’s goalkeeper Žan Tratnik made one final comfortable save to seal the win.

Tactical story

Radomlje’s challenge was always going to be breaking down a disciplined, lower-division side. Their manager emphasized patience at half-time, and the goal came from exactly that — a sustained spell of pressure rather than a moment of individual brilliance. After scoring, Radomlje dropped slightly deeper, inviting Podvinci forward and looking to kill the game on the counter.

Podvinci’s game plan was effective for long periods. Their midfield screen protected the back four, and their wide players worked hard to track Radomlje’s full-backs. The difference, ultimately, was a moment of quality in the final third — a commodity the hosts lacked when their own chances arrived.

Standout players

• Luka Cerar (Radomlje): Scored the decisive goal and controlled the tempo from midfield.
• Žan Tratnik (Radomlje): Commanded his box well and made the saves required to keep a clean sheet.
• Marko Horvat (Podvinci): The captain led by example, winning tackles and driving his side forward late on.

Season impact

For Radomlje, the win is a professional, if unspectacular, step into the next round. Cup runs can build momentum, and avoiding a banana skin away from home will please the coaching staff. For Podvinci, the defeat will sting, but their performance showed they can compete against higher-ranked opposition. The focus now returns to league matters, where they will look to turn this kind of display into points.