In a night where ambition met execution, Dinamo Zagreb delivered a commanding performance to defeat Fenerbahçe 3–1 in their opening UEFA Europa League group stage match at Stadion Maksimir.
The result will resonate through both clubs’ campaigns: for Zagreb it is a statement of intent, for Fenerbahçe a warning sign that adjustments will be needed if they hope to advance.
From early exchanges, the hosts pressed with energy and belief, refusing to allow Fenerbahçe’s more senior stars any comfort. The first goal came in the 21st minute, a moment of chaos inside the box that summed up the pressure Zagreb were exerting.
A scramble ensued, defenders flailing, and Dion Beljo was alert to capitalize—his right-footed poke across the goalkeeper sealed the opening. The goal unsettled the visitors, and although Fenerbahçe managed to regroup, Zagreb’s impetus remained.
Fenerbahçe responded swiftly. In the 25th minute, from a corner sequence, Sebastian Szymanski burst into space and unleashed a left-footed effort from outside the box that curled into the bottom right corner.
It was his first goal of the season, and it equilibrated the contest just as Zagreb had claimed momentum. But instead of settling, the balance seemed to invite more intensity, more attacking ambition.
As the first half wore on, both sides had their moments. Zagreb, relying on energy in the wide channels and late arriving midfield runners, probed for weaknesses.
Fenerbahçe, with experienced defenders like Milan Skriniar and Çaglar Söyüncü, attempted to stay compact and quick on the break. The half ended all square, but with tension hanging over the pitch: Zagreb’s momentum hinted at more to come.
When the second half resumed, Zagreb wasted no time reasserting control. Within five minutes of the restart, Beljo struck again. Arbër Hoxha’s assist found him in close quarters, and the striker made no mistake—placing his shot into the bottom right corner to give Zagreb a 2–1 lead.
The goal crystallized the hosts’ dominance and signaled a shift from cautious equalizer to confident aggressor.
Fenerbahçe tried to respond. They made tactical substitutions, reshuffled their shape, and pressed forward in search of parity. Yet their momentum was dampened by Zagreb’s stubborn defending and clever transitions.
Ovo je DINAMO! Ovo je ZAGREB!
⚽️⚽️ Beljo
⚽️ Bakrar pic.twitter.com/7qy89msmgW— GNK Dinamo (@gnkdinamo) September 24, 2025
Over the course of the second half, the visitors’ attacking forays grew riskier, and gaps began to appear at the back.
Those gaps were exposed late. Deep into stoppage time, with Fenerbahçe fully committed to pushing forward, Zagreb struck a heavy blow on the counter.
Substitute Mounsef Bakrar, introduced earlier to add fresh legs, darted into space and delivered a right-footed finish from the right side of the penalty area to the bottom left corner, reinforcing the hosts’ dominance and emphatically closing the contest at 3–1.
The timing of the third goal, in the 95th minute, will sting Fenerbahçe’s players and supporters. It was a finale that spoke both of Zagreb’s composure and Fenerbahçe’s vulnerability when pressed late. The visitors had committed bodies forward in hope; Zagreb took advantage.
In assessing performances, Beljo’s night is one to applaud. Two clinical finishes, one at a moment when the game was delicately poised, speak of his predatory instincts. Bakrar’s impact off the bench showed the depth Zagreb possess, capable of closing games even when the margin is narrow.
Fenerbahçe, for their part, cannot be dismissed. Their equalizer was technically excellent, and their fightback attempts showed ambition. But the defensive lapses in critical moments proved costly. Their substitutions, though well intentioned, were unable to alter momentum decisively.